Open Letter to Buffalo Bills Fans Who Want Josh Allen To Play
Dear Bills Mafia,
It's been a great start to the 2022 regular season. The Buffalo Bills came into the season as the Super Bowl favorites and while many are still picking them to represent the AFC come February's big game, the past 72 hours have not been kind to Bills fans.
The Bills lost to the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon, 20-17, in a game that was extremely frustrating because of how the Bills played on offense and defense.
The run defense had its worst game of the season and quarterback Josh Allen threw two horrendous interceptions.
Allen was also hurt.
On the last offensive drive of the game, Allen was strip-sacked and sprained his elbow. According to multiple reports, including ones from Ian Rapoport, Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen, it was an ulnar collateral ligament injury.
The Bills officially listed Allen as "day-to-day" on Wednesday, although he did not practice and head coach Sean McDermott said to the media that they will see whether or not he plays against the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday at Highmark Stadium.
Ross Tucker had former NFL doctor David J. Chao on his podcast this week and based on what Dr. Chao knows with UCL injuries and how Allen was injured, he think he misses this Sunday's game and maybe the next several weeks.
I've seen a lot of Bills fans who want Allen to play this Sunday against the Vikings and I get it. He's arguably the best player in the NFL and also arguably the most valuable player to his team in the league.
However, as Dr. Chao pointed out in that video, if there's even the slightest chance that a similar hit on Allen's elbow can cause the injury to get worse (ending his season), then thee Bills should exercise extreme caution; which they have gotten a reputation of doing.
The Bills have been overly conservative with Tre'Davious White's ACL recovery and Jordan Poyer's injuries this season.
The Bills need to think about the long-term. They need Josh in December and January, against division opponents and the playoffs. The Bills next three games are against the Vikings, Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.
Two of three are against NFC teams and two teams who likely won't be making the playoffs this season (Browns, Lions).
If there was ever a time for Allen to miss two or three games, this is the stretch to do it.
He's too important. Play Case Keenum and let Allen get to 100 percent. I don't want Josh out there if he's not 100 percent.