Josh Allen did speak to the media ahead of a final game at the Ralph, but his own participation has been unconfirmed. Sunday marks the Bills’ final home game at Highmark Stadium, a 2025 regular-season finale against the New York Jets. With Sunday fast approaching, head coach Sean McDermott revealed whether Josh Allen would suit up in Week 18, or bring his consecutive starts streak to an end.

On Friday morning, Bills head coach Sean McDermott joined WGR-AM and shut down the speculation. Allen, according to McDermott, is “good to go” for Sunday’s matchup against the Jets, stating, “He’ll be good to go for the game, and we’ll take it one day at a time.” With that, the quarterback will extend his streak to 121 straight regular-season starts, the NFL’s longest active run among quarterbacks (if you count Rivers out as he will be stepping back into retirement).

Initially, the reigning MVP missed four games during his rookie season in 2018 but has started every contest since Week 2 of that year. Among active quarterbacks, only Philip Rivers owns a longer streak. We’re talking about over 250 consecutive starts. Overall, Allen is eighth in this list, with the highest ever streak belonging to Brett Favre at 297 games.

Doubts around Allen’s availability surfaced after the reigning MVP aggravated a foot injury during Buffalo’s Week 17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. That issue kept him out of practice on both Wednesday and Thursday, fueling talk that the Bills might prioritize rest with the playoffs approaching. But McDermott later confirmed that Allen would be limited in Friday’s session and will lead the offense on Sunday.

This decision is bound to raise a bigger question about whether starting Allen in Week 18 is the safest move with postseason football right around the corner. In fact, this isn’t the first time Buffalo has faced this situation. Last season, McDermott started Allen in the regular-season finale primarily to preserve the streak. The formality of the move was evident as the quarterback jogged off the field after a single snap.

Whether this decision pays off or backfires is something the Bills will find out soon enough. What is clear, though, is that Allen’s status wasn’t the only update Sean McDermott shared. In fact, Buffalo is also managing multiple injury concerns heading into a critical stretch.

Sean McDermott rules three players out of the regular-season finale

Ahead of Week 18, the Bills’ defense is limping toward the finish line. Just hours before kickoff, head coach Sean McDermott ruled out three defensive starters for the regular-season finale: linebacker Terrel Bernard, defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, and safety Jordan Poyer.

Bernard’s absence stems from a calf injury he suffered in Buffalo’s Week 17 loss to the Eagles. He exited that game early, and with him sidelined, Shaq Thompson is expected to step into the starting role against the Jets.

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Poyer, meanwhile, has been unavailable for a couple of weeks now. His issue dates back to Week 16 against the Cleveland Browns, when he suffered a hamstring injury late in the fourth quarter. He went down recording a half-sack on quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Poyer came off the field for Buffalo’s final two defensive snaps in that game. But he hasn’t played since, including last week’s matchup against Philadelphia.

As for Jones, the situation has been lingering. The veteran defensive tackle has been managing a calf issue for several weeks. But reports indicate he may have aggravated it against Cleveland. That flare-up kept him out in Week 17 and will now sideline him again for the regular-season finale.

The injury list doesn’t stop there. McDermott also labeled defensive end Joey Bosa (hamstring) and tight end Dalton Kincaid as questionable for Sunday.

Bosa has been playing through a hamstring injury since late November. Despite appearing in 15 games this season and posting 29 total tackles, 5.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, and two passes defended, the timing suggests Buffalo could be cautious with him as the playoffs approach. Kincaid, meanwhile, missed the Eagles game due to a knee injury, marking the fifth contest he’s sat out this season.

That knee issue was aggravated in Week 16 against the Browns. The same game in which he was held without a catch on one target. With just one Week before the postseason, the Bills are clearly balancing availability with preservation, especially on defense. Will this growing list of injuries become a real postseason concern? That’s something we shall see.

For now, for one final time, the Bills will take the field at their familiar home in red helmets, as they honor their history. They will be looking forward to hosting the Jets with momentum and meaning on their side. A win would not just close the regular season on a high note, but also serve as a fitting send-off to a stadium that defined an era. Before a new chapter begins in 2026, Buffalo has one last chance to make this stage count.