Bills vs. 49ers Injury Update: Key Players Missing Ahead of Week 13 Showdown
The Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers are heading into Week 13 with starkly different trajectories. Buffalo, riding a six-game winning streak, is in first place and getting healthier, while San Francisco, coming off two consecutive losses, is grappling with significant injuries to key players.
The Bills (9-2), with Super Bowl aspirations, will host the 49ers (5-6) on Sunday Night Football at 8:20 p.m. ET. While Buffalo benefited from a bye week to recover several injured players, the 49ers are facing uncertainty regarding the availability of four Pro Bowlers.
Buffalo Bills Injury Updates
- Keon Coleman (WR, wrist): Out since Week 9, Coleman injured his wrist in a helmet-to-helmet collision with Dolphins safety Jordan Poyer. Despite missing two games, the Bills opted against placing him on injured reserve, leaving the door open for a return.
- Amari Cooper (WR, wrist): After a left wrist injury sidelined him for two games, Cooper returned in Week 11 to contribute two catches for 55 yards against the Chiefs.
- Dalton Kincaid (TE, knee): Kincaid missed Week 11 due to a knee injury sustained during the Bills’ Week 10 win over the Colts.
- Spencer Brown (OT, ankle): Brown did not play in Week 11 after injuring his right ankle in Week 10 but could return this week.
- Matt Milano (LB, biceps): Milano, a Pro Bowl linebacker, is working back from a biceps tear and is in his 21-day practice window following a stint on injured reserve.
San Francisco 49ers Injury Updates
San Francisco’s recent 38-10 loss to the Packers highlighted the absence of quarterback Brock Purdy, left tackle Trent Williams, defensive end Nick Bosa, and cornerback Charvarius Ward.
- Brock Purdy (QB, shoulder): Purdy, recovering from a shoulder injury, did light throwing on Monday, but his availability for Sunday remains uncertain. If Purdy cannot play, backup Brandon Allen, who is 2-8 as a starter, will step in again.
- Drew Greenlaw (LB): Coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that the team plans to open Greenlaw’s 21-day practice window.
Injury Reports and Game Status
NFL teams release practice participation reports on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with game status updates due Friday by 5 p.m. Buffalo appears primed to welcome back key contributors, while San Francisco faces tough decisions with several star players’ status in limbo.