The Buffalo Bills have officially released their gameday roster and inactive list, and the announcement delivers several late storylines just hours before kickoff — particularly around Buffalo’s running back depth and defensive rotation.
As expected, Josh Allen is active and will start under center, with Mitchell Trubisky backing him up. The Bills’ offensive core remains largely intact, but the inactive list signals where Buffalo may feel pressure as the game unfolds.
Seven Players Inactive for Buffalo
Buffalo will be without seven players today:
- Ty Johnson (RB)
- Terrel Bernard (LB)
- Darnell Savage (DB)
- Maxwell Hairston (DB)
- Tylan Grable (OL)
- Leki Fotu (DT)
- Larry Ogunjobi (DT)
The most immediate impact comes from Johnson’s absence, which shortens the rotation behind James Cook. Buffalo is expected to lean heavily on Cook in both early-down carries and passing situations, potentially increasing his snap share in a must-execute matchup.
On defense, the loss of Ogunjobi and Fotu thins the interior line, raising questions about Buffalo’s ability to control the run and generate pressure from the middle. While the Bills still boast top-end talent, rotational depth could be tested as the game progresses.
Core Starters Still Good to Go
Despite the inactives, Buffalo retains the backbone of its roster. The receiving group is fully available, and tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox are both active, giving the offense flexibility in personnel packages and red-zone looks.
Defensively, leaders Matt Milano, Jordan Poyer, Tre’Davious White, and Joey Bosa are all active, ensuring the Bills still field a veteran-heavy unit capable of handling high-pressure moments.
Gameday roster & inactives ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/jhLsj2nN1s
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) January 11, 2026
What to Watch
- Increased workload for James Cook
- Defensive interior snaps under scrutiny without Ogunjobi
- Secondary depth tested with multiple DBs inactive
With kickoff approaching, Buffalo enters the game slightly shorthanded — but far from compromised. How the Bills manage their depth may quietly decide whether this turns into a comfortable win or a grind-it-out battle.
Buffalo and Jacksonville have confirmed their inactive lists for the Wild Card showdown. Here’s who’s out, who’s in, and the matchup impact heading into kickoff.
