D.J. Moore injury: Bills wideout suffers AC Joint injury in win vs. Lions

The only negative for the Bills’ 41-31 demolition of the Detroit Lions in Thursday night’s game was DJ Moore exiting in the second quarter due to injury. Specifically, the wideout is believed to have suffered an AC joint sprain, which leaves his status for Week 3, when Buffalo hosts the Los Angeles Chargers, in doubt, according to ESPN. 

“He has a chance to play next week, but it’s not a lock, either,” a source told ESPN, with the report adding that doctors do not consider the injury too serious and will leave him day-to-day. 

Moore sustained the injury in the second quarter after falling hard on his shoulder in the back of Detroit’s end zone. He left the field and went into the locker room, where he received X-rays and was later ruled out for the game. 

The 29-year-old didn’t register a catch before departing with the injury, only rushing once for -1 yard. 

Last week, Moore caught five passes for 100 yards while helping Buffalo post a 36-31 win over the Texans in Houston. That game was Moore’s first for the Bills after he was traded from Chicago during the offseason. 

The 29-year-old Moore spent his first five NFL seasons with the Panthers before he was traded to Chicago ahead of the 2023 season. From 2019-23, Moore posted four seasons with at least 1,100 receiving yards. His best season was in 2023, when he set career highs with 1,364 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches. 

DJ Moore will have time to rest

While the injury doesn’t appear to be too serious, it does leave his status for Week 3 up in the air. What may give him a better shot at ultimately suiting up next week against the Chargers is the fact that Buffalo is in the midst of a mini bye week after playing on Thursday night. The Bills now have 10 days until their next contest, giving Moore some added time to recuperate, which he wouldn’t have been afforded had this been a typical Sunday matchup and especially had this primetime game been on a Monday night. 

After starting the year 2-0, Buffalo could also opt to rest Moore’s shoulder and hold him out for Week 3, hoping to have him fresh for their pivotal AFC East matchup against the New England Patriots in Week 4.

Who will step up for the Bills if Moore misses time?

Moore flashed his ability to be a true top passing game option for Josh Allen in the opener, but Week 2’s victory showed that the offense can move without him as a central figure. Tight end Dalton Kincaid has broken out over the first two games of the year, including on Thursday night, when he led the team in targets (8), receptions (7), and receiving yards (95). He also caught a touchdown in the closing minutes of the first half. 

Kincaid should continue to get plenty of looks from Josh Allen regardless of Moore’s status, but if the receiver is sidelined for Week 3, expect to see a heavy dose of Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir from the position group. Each saw six targets in Week 2, with Coleman — who has endured a tumultuous tenure in Buffalo since being a second-round pick in 2024 — making the most of his looks, catching all six targets for 63 yards. Joshua Palmer (one catch for 43 yards) should also factor more into the passing attack if Moore misses time.