ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — With protective tape covering the back of his forearm and throwing elbow, quarterback Josh Allen was scheduled to practice fully on Wednesday despite experiencing what coach Sean McDermott referred to as “overall soreness.”
And that doesn’t include Allen complaining about hurting his left shoulder during a 23-19 loss at Houston on Thursday, in an outing when he was sacked a career-high eight times. Allen is scheduled to address
the media later in the day as Buffalo (7-4) prepares to travel to play Pittsburgh (6-5) on Sunday.
What could be more concerning for Allen is that Buffalo could be missing his top two protectors.
Left tackle Dion Dawkins is in the concussion protocol. McDermott said Dawkins was evaluated for a concussion and cleared to return during the game before experiencing symptoms a day later.
Right tackle Spencer Brown, meanwhile, is unlikely to play after hurting his right shoulder in the game against Houston.
Backup Ryan Van Demark would be a candidate to fill in for Dawkins, while rookie sixth-round pick Chase Lundt would replace Brown. Buffalo’s offensive line has been durable this season, with Brown the only starter to miss one game.
McDermott expressed concern about the number of hits Allen has taken this season. He already has been sacked 28 times, double his total from all of last year.
“If we want to win or give ourselves a chance to win, we have to be better there,” McDermott said.
Said Allen after the game in which he was hit 12 times: “It’s not fun. I have to be better with throwing the ball away. ... Too many times, I was going backwards, and I have to be better on that.”
Allen was healthy enough to travel to attend Wyoming's home game against Nevada on Saturday. He was joined by his wife, actor Hailee Steinfeld, and his parents for a ceremony in which Wyoming retired his No. 17 jersey.
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