When media gathered in Orchard Park, NY on Thursday morning for the press conference to introduce Joe Brady as the Buffalo Bills’ new coach, they saw an interesting sight: quarterback Josh Allen on crutches and in a walking boot.
The 29-year-old Allen revealed he underwent surgery for a broken bone in his foot on Monday. The operation was for a fifth-metatarsal avulsion, which normally comes with an eight-to-10 week recovery time.
Still, Allen said the surgery wouldn’t have kept him out of action.
“I’m not lying,” Allen said. “If we had a game this week, I’d play.”
Allen is believed to have incurred the injury during the team’s 23-20 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 21. He played in three full games after that and appeared in another.
Speaking after Brady’s conference, Allen says he is in full support of his offensive coordinator’s promotion to head coach. Brady succeeds Sean McDermott, who was fired after nine seasons earlier this month.
“What I saw was an owner and a family that is doing everything they can to bring a Lombardi [Trophy] to Western New York,” Allen said of the hiring process. “I saw a general manager that’s as motivated as ever...I truly believe in the direction of this organization, starting at the top.”
Allen just completed his eighth NFL season out of Wyoming. He turned the ball over four times in the team’s 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC divisional round.
The 2024 NFL Most Valuable Player, Allen was named a finalist for this season’s honour and was also named to the Pro Bowl for the fourth time in his career.
The Firebaugh, CA native finished his season with 3,668 yards on 319-for-460 passing with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He added another 579 yards on the ground with 14 rushing touchdowns.
