Is Josh Allen injured? Exploring Bills QB's availabilty for NFL division round vs Ravens

Josh Allen's triumphant performance in the Buffalo Bills' 31-7 wild-card victory over the Denver Broncos came with a painful price. The Bills quarterback suffered a gruesome nail injury to his throwing hand late in the game. This raised questions about his status for the upcoming divisional round clash against the Baltimore Ravens.

The injury occurred when Broncos defender Nik Bonitto hit Allen after a throw. CBS cameras captured the quarterback showing officials his damaged thumb, where he had lost approximately half his nail. Medical staff treated the injury on the sideline, applying glue to protect the affected area.

Allen demonstrated remarkable toughness by continuing to play through the injury. He finished the game with impressive numbers, completing 20 of 26 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns. His performance included a perfect 4-for-4 showing on deep passes, accumulating 139 yards and both scores.

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Medical assessments suggest Josh Allen suffered a ruptured hyponychium, resulting in the nail plate separating from the nail bed. This type of injury typically requires five to seven days for recovery, according to reports from the wild-card matchup. This makes Allen's availability for the matchup highly likely.

The timing proves critical as Buffalo prepares to host Baltimore in a high-stakes playoff battle. The contest features two quarterbacks who have dominated MVP discussions this season, with Lamar Jackson recently edging Allen for first-team All-Pro honors.

Josh Allen vs. Lamar Jackson MVP showdown takes center stage

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The divisional-round matchup carries extra weight beyond Josh Allen's injury concerns. Their previous meeting in Week 4 saw Baltimore dominate Buffalo 35-10, but both teams have evolved significantly since then.

Jackson comes into the game fresh off an efficient showing against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He completed 16 of 21 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns while adding 81 rushing yards. The Ravens quarterback received 30 first-place votes for All-Pro selection, compared to Allen's 18.

For Josh Allen, the pressure extends beyond his physical recovery. The Bills have faced three consecutive divisional round exits, including two losses at home. Another defeat in Orchard Park would raise further questions about Allen's ability to deliver in crucial playoff moments.

Next Gen Stats highlight Allen's postseason prowess on deep throws. Since entering the league in 2018, he has led all quarterbacks with 23 completions and 791 yards on passes traveling 20+ air yards in playoff competition. His ability to maintain this exceptional downfield accuracy while managing his thumb injury could determine Buffalo's fate in its quest for AFC supremacy.