A sudden injury cloud lingers over Buffalo’s undefeated start as the Bills await news on their star playmaker, potentially forcing an untested rookie into the spotlight.
The Buffalo Bills opened their new stadium in style on Thursday night with a 41-31 win over the Detroit Lions. And though there is joy among the team and its fanbase about going to 2-0 for the third straight year, there is concern for wide receiver DJ Moore.
Buffalo's top receiver left the game in the 2nd quarter with what the team described as a "stinger". By the start of the 2nd half, Moore was officially ruled out for the rest of the game.
After the game finished, Bills head coach Joe Brady was asked about Moore's status.
"I don't have any updates with it," Brady said. "Obviously he couldn't come back in the game."
Brady said he's hoping to have more information on Friday on Moore, but that he wasn't sure when he'd know.
As far as what the injury could be, there was no speculation. From replays, however, it was clear it was something with his shoulder or neck area.
UPDATE (9/18): According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, doctors don't consider DJ Moore's shoulder injury to be serious and have him as day-to-day. There's a chance he plays next week against Los Angeles.
The original story continues below.
Prior to his injury, the 29-year-old receiver had zero catches, but did have one rushing attempt that went for -1. In his first game with the Bills last week against Houston, Moore had five catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.
Depending on how long he's out, it's likely the Bills will have to turn to rookie Skyler Bell, who's been inactive for each of Buffalo's first two games. Should he miss extended time, there will certainly be calls from fans to address the position in one way or another.
Another receiver who went down with an injury, Keon Coleman, left momentarily with an ankle issue. He quickly returned and finished with 6 catches for 63 yards.
It was the first time Coleman had over 50 receiving yards since Week 1 of the 2025 season, when he had 8 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown.
