The Buffalo Bills have ruled out four players ahead of the team's Week 13 battle against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to head coach Sean McDermott.
With five games left for the Buffalo Bills in the 2025 NFL regular season, the franchise will look to begin a huge push for a potential playoff spot against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13.
However, Sunday’s battle against the top team in the AFC North could pose a challenge to head coach Sean McDermott and his squad, with the team ruling out multiple key players prior to kickoff.
During an interview on Friday, McDermott told WGR550 that left tackle Dion Dawkins, right tackle Spencer Brown, linebacker Terrel Bernard, and wide receiver Curtis Samuel will be unavailable for this week's matchup.
This week, all the signs were pointing to Dawkins missing the team’s upcoming contest, as the veteran offensive linemen did not practice due to a concussion. According to Bills’ beat writer, Alec White, Dawkins was cleared by an independent neurologist, but has continued to show signs of symptoms.
In addition to Dawkins suffering a concussion, Brown left Thursday night’s contest with a shoulder injury. This now puts former 2025 sixth-round pick Chase Lundt and veteran Ryan Van Demark in line to start against a Steelers’ defense that includes OLB T.J. Watt.
Brown was not the only player to exit the team’s Week 12 battle against the Houston Texans, as Bernard also left the game after sustaining an elbow injury. Samuel, on the other hand, is set to miss his second-straight game due to injury.
Despite missing both starting tackles and their starting linebacker, 2025 first-round pick Maxwell Hairston is on track to return from a concussion. The former Kentucky standout missed last week’s matchup, but was a full participant in practice on Thursday.
Sunday will be an important game for the Bills, who are fighting to maintain a spot in this year’s playoffs. The New England Patriots' incredible season has resulted in the Bills holding the second-place spot in the division with a 7-4 record.
Unfortunately for McDermott and company, the Steelers are also trying to hold their lead in the division after the Baltimore Ravens' loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving.
A win on Sunday would give Pittsburgh a one-game lead over the Ravens with four games left.