The Buffalo Bills have a massive game coming up against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. The Chiefs, reigning AFC champions, got off to a slow start this season due to some offensive injuries but are now starting to hit their stride.
### Injury Update: Josh Palmer
Ahead of the showdown, the Bills received a significant update regarding WR Josh Palmer’s status. Palmer suffered knee and ankle injuries during Buffalo’s surprising Week 6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, forcing him to leave the game early. Despite the Week 7 bye, he wasn’t ready to suit up for Week 8 and missed Buffalo’s victory over the Carolina Panthers.
Though Palmer did not participate in practice on Wednesday, he was listed as a limited participant on Thursday. Observers saw him actively taking part in drills, a massive development for the wide receiver. While this does not guarantee Palmer will be ready for the Chiefs game, it certainly opens the door for a possible return. Had he missed both Wednesday and Thursday’s practices, his chances of playing on Sunday would have been nearly nonexistent.
### Josh Palmer Adds Depth to a Strong Bills WR Core
The Bills may not boast any surefire elite wide receivers, but they deploy a deep and versatile platoon of pass-catchers who can all make plays on any given night. The team’s top three receiving threats in the passing attack currently are:
– WR Khalil Shakir (31 catches, 356 yards, 3 touchdowns)
– TE Dalton Kincaid (21 catches, 310 yards, 3 touchdowns)
– WR Keon Coleman (27 catches, 267 yards, 2 touchdowns)
Beyond that trio, Buffalo runs a “flavor of the week” passing offense. Players like RB James Cook, TEs Dawson Knox and Jackson Haws, WR Elijah Moore, and rookie WR Tyrell Shavers have between 5 and 12 receptions each, stepping up at key moments.
Palmer himself has 14 receptions, despite missing the Panthers game. Notably, he leads Buffalo in yards per reception at 16.7 yards. This average ranks him sixth in the NFL, behind some of the league’s elite deep threats such as Colts WR Alec Pierce and Lions WR Jameson Williams.
He has become the Bills’ go-to target on deep passes—something Buffalo QB Josh Allen excels at but doesn’t get to execute frequently.
### The AFC East Race Heats Up
Few expected this heading into the season, but the New England Patriots currently lead the AFC East after eight weeks. The Bills have won the division five consecutive seasons, but this year New England holds the early edge—and they also have a win over Buffalo.
Adding to Buffalo’s challenges, the Patriots have the league’s easiest remaining schedule. That’s tough news for the Bills, who are trying to make up ground.
Buffalo’s upcoming schedule after the Chiefs game includes matchups against the Dolphins, Buccaneers, Texans, Steelers, Bengals, Patriots, Browns, Eagles, and Jets. This ranks as the 12th-easiest remaining schedule in the league—solid, but not a cakewalk.
Still, since Buffalo trails New England in their own division, the Bills have work to do. The margin for error is slim if Buffalo wants to clinch a sixth straight AFC East crown.
—
With the stakes this high, keep an eye on Josh Palmer’s status as Sunday’s showdown approaches. His availability could prove crucial in what promises to be a thrilling battle between two AFC powerhouses.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/buffalo-bills/josh-palmer-injury-update/
