Something smells familiar.
Josh Allen appears to be back to his unusual sideline routine.
CBS cameras showed the Buffalo Bills quarterback warming up with what appeared to be a packet of smelling salts in his mouth during the second quarter of Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
It wasn't the first time.
Allen drew attention during the Bills' Week 2 win over the Detroit Lions on Sept. 17 when Amazon Prime Video cameras captured him with what appeared to be a smelling salts packet in his mouth as he warmed up on the sideline.
Video of the moment circulated on social media, with fans questioning why Allen was holding the packet in his mouth.
Smelling salts, which contain ammonia, have long been used by NFL players who believe they provide a quick
burst of alertness. But the league changed its rules concerning the products before the 2025 season.
Are smelling salts banned in the NFL?
NFL players are allowed to use smelling salts during games, but teams cannot provide them.
The NFL informed all 32 teams in August 2025 that club personnel, including coaches, trainers and medical staff, were prohibited from supplying smelling salts or other ammonia inhalants to players during games, pregame activities or halftime.
The policy followed a warning from the Food and Drug Administration about the products' potential health risks, including concerns that they could mask signs and symptoms of a concussion.
The NFL Players Association subsequently clarified that the restriction applied to teams supplying the products, not individual players using them.
Players can still bring their own smelling salts to games.
That means Allen would not be violating the NFL's policy simply by using smelling salts on the sideline.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Josh Allen appears to have smelling salts in mouth again during Bills game
