Bills’ Josh Allen calls shoulder injury “scary” after win over Bucs.
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Bills quarterback Josh Allen at Highmark Stadium on October 26, 2023.
The Buffalo Bills bounced back in style with a 24-18 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football.
While Bills quarterback Josh Allen completed 31 of 40 passes for 324 yards, three total touchdowns and one interception against Tampa Bay, there was a brief moment in the second quarter that left everyone in Orchard Park holding their breath.
The 27-year-old injured his shoulder after being tackled by Buccaneers linebacker YaYa Diaby in the red zone. Allen stood up, shook out his right arm and never missed a play. He finished the drive with a 13-yard rushing touchdown.
But just before the Buccaneers scored a 56-yard field goal, Allen entered the blue medical tent and backup quarterback Kyle Allen began warming up on the sideline.
After a few minutes, Allen emerged from the medical tent, had his throwing arm examined by trainers and returned to play. While Allen has downplayed his shoulder injury since first improving on it in Week 6 against the New York Giants, he has told reporters After the game, he said it was a “scary” moment for him.
On the way into the blue tent Allen said: “You never like being in situations like this, it’s always scary.” “At the end of the day it’s football. “It’s not a matter of if, but when” when it comes to injuries. “I’m just trying to get on that side and be the guy I need to be for this team.
“As a quarterback, every time you feel something in your throwing shoulder, alarms go off in your head: ‘Oh crap.’ But it’s something we need to keep an eye on and continue to pursue and make sure we take care of it.”
Josh Allen said he will have “a lot of rehab” next week
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo Allen asked if he had any doubts about being able to play again, and the $258 million Bills franchise star paused briefly before answering.
“It’s going to take a lot for me not to play,” Allen said when asked about his shoulder. “I’ll be a little sore for a few days. But we have a great training staff…they help me. A lot of rehab in this nice mini bye we got. I’m glad it’s a Thursday night game. We will have some time to rest.
The Bills have 10 days before traveling to Paycor Stadium to face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9. As for his message to the team: “Reset. Come back ready to go. We’ve got nine games left this season and we’re going to go 1-0…Take a few days off, freshen up and come back ready to go.”
Josh Allen noticeably refrained from giving a high five with his right hand
Allen may have needed a few minutes to warm up after leaving the blue medical tent because he was intercepted on his first pass. However, Allen went on to throw a 22-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dalton Kincaid, clearly showing that there was nothing wrong with his throwing arm.
But during the celebration of Kincaid’s first-ever touchdown in the NFL, Allen conspicuously only gave a low five with his left arm.
After the game, Allen raved about Kincaid’s game-changing performance. With veteran tight end Dawson Knox on injured reserve, the Bills’ first-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft stepped up and finished Thursday with five catches 65 meters and a score, including a crucial 15-yard catch down the sideline in the third quarter that kept the Bills’ drive alive.
“He feels like he’s been in this league for a long time. He’s a professional,” Allen said. “I thought he rose to the challenge and we need to get him more involved in the offense as the season progresses.”
Emily Bicks is a strong sports journalist who specializes in covering the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks. She has been writing for Heavy since 2019 and has interviewed some of sports’ biggest stars, including Jerry Rice, Shaquille O’Neal and Stefon Diggs. More about Emily Bicks
