Former NFL Doctor Thinks Josh Allen Misses a Few Weeks

It really does feel like all of Buffalo and Western New York has been honed in on social media and any news related to the health of starting Bills quarterback, Josh Allen.

Allen was injured in this past Sunday's loss against the New York Jets, which occurred on the final offensive drive of the game for the Bills.

Allen's injury is to his right elbow, which is his throwing elbow. Ian Rapoport and Chris Mortensen both reported it's an injury, more specifically a sprain, to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott announced that Allen was "day-to-day" on Wednesday and when asked whether or not Allen would play on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings at Highmark Stadium, McDermott said "we'll see,"

Allen did not practice today and it's likely he doesn't practice or is limited the remainder of the week.

Day-to-day sounds like it's minor but according to one very respected medical expert in sports medicine, Allen is likely to miss this weekend and maybe more games after that.

Former long-time NFL doctor David J. Chao said on Ross Tucker's podcast today that he thinks it's backup quarterback Case Keenum this week and likely the next few weeks.

Doctor Chao said that if the Bills think there's even the slightest risk that he could make the sprain a severe tear, with a similar hit, then they should play the long game and want him there in December and January.

Chao said Allen doesn't need Tommy John surgery, to repair the UCL but because of how important Allen is and where this injury is, he believes the smart thing to do is sit Allen a week or two or three until it has a chance to full heal.

Doctor Chao isn't at One Bills Drive, so he hasn't seen the images from things like an MRI but I am of the same mindset.

I rather have Allen miss 1-3 games and be back to fully healthy than have him not 100 percent and run the risk of re-injuring it and missing the season.

He's important but much more important in December and January. The Bills next three games are against the Vikings, Browns and Lions. Two NFC teams, one might be the worst team in the NFL (Lions) and the AFC team is likely not making the postseason (Browns).

It's not ideal but this Allen injury came at the best possible time for where we are on the schedule.