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Bills Star QB Josh Allen Has Been Playing With A Broken Bone

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Dec 22, 2024 11:50 AM ET

Josh Allen has reportedly played most of the 2024 season through a significant injury.

The star quarterback has emerged as an MVP favorite while leading the 11-3 Buffalo Bills to their fifth straight AFC East title. Allen has accounted for 36 touchdowns (25 passing, 11 rushing) with a league-best 79.2 QBR despite getting injured in September.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Allen fractured his left hand during Buffalo's Week 1 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The injury occurred as he lunged into the end zone for a rushing touchdown.

Allen, who has sat out one game since the start of 2019, did not miss any time from the broken hand. The Bills kept him on their injury report through their Week 12 bye without the public realizing the severity of his ailment.

Rapoport said on NFL GameDay that Allen should be "totally fine" moving forward. Buffalo didn't list the 28-year-old on its Week 16 injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the New England Patriots.

Allen has hidden any discomfort well, averaging a career-high 8.0 yards per pass attempt with a 103.5 quarterback rating this season. He's thrown just five interceptions after surrendering a career-worst 18 picks in 2023.

The former No. 7 pick has solidified his status as the MVP front-runner with dazzling performances in back-to-back shootouts.

Although the Bills fell short in Week 15, Allen amassed 342 passing yards and 82 rushing yards while notching three touchdowns apiece. He followed that loss by leading Buffalo to a 48-42 road victory over the Detroit Lions with 362 passing yards, 68 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns.

It's a scary thought for the rest of the league, but everybody can just now be witnessing a healthy Allen after unknowingly watching the quarterback play through pain.

After last Sunday's game, Allen underwent X-rays on his right shoulder. However, head coach Sean McDermott said they were precautionary, and he's "all good" for Week 16. The Bills must win their final three games to keep the AFC's No. 1 seed in play.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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