Injuries to their biggest names on offense and defense altered the Bills’ Super Bowl push, but Josh Allen‘s recovery timetable will not be as lengthy as Von Miller‘s.
Although Allen’s elbow injury affected him for much of the season, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com report the Pro Bowl passer is not expected to need surgery.
Allen suffered a partially torn UCL in early November, and according to NFL.com, associated tendon and muscle issues limited the fifth-year star as well. As Allen hoped in January, a rehab program — and not a surgical path — is the expected offseason course of action.
This injury was not believed to be as severe as the UCL sprain Allen suffered as a rookie, but the Wyoming product said doctors initially viewed a two- to four-week absence as likely.
Allen underwent a PRP procedure and wore a brace for a period, eventually shedding it later in the season. But the Bills quarterback did not finish the year as strong as he started it.
The injury and brace disrupted Allen’s mechanics, per Rapoport and Pelissero, though he did not miss any time because of it.
Allen’s injury was a bit worse than initial reports indicated, and the veteran quarterback’s issues played an important role in last season’s preseason Super Bowl favorite falling short.
But surgery not being part of this equation represents good news for the Bills. The 49ers may not have their preferred starter until either late August or during the 2023 season, depending on what type of procedure ends up being completed to repair Brock Purdy‘s torn UCL.
Despite the injury and Brian Daboll‘s departure, the Bills still ranked second in points scored in 2022. Allen is going into his age-27 season, and Buffalo has nine of its 11 offensive starters under contract.
Stefon Diggs and Dawson Knox signed long-term deals last year. The Bills should be expected to pursue offensive line upgrades, but Allen recovering will put the team in position to enter next season as one of the Super Bowl LVIII frontrunners.
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