The Buffalo Bills enter Week 13 with the highest level of urgency they’ve faced all season as they prepare to travel to Acrisure Stadium to take on Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. But right when tension seemed to reach its peak, the Bills were hit with a wave of extremely positive injury updates — the kind that ignited Bills Mafia and renewed belief heading into a matchup that could redefine the course of their season.
The biggest headline centers on Keon Coleman, who left practice early earlier in the week with a shoulder issue. However, Friday’s report confirmed Coleman returned to full participation and will play at 100%, reclaiming his WR2 role. His return is a massive boost, as the Bills desperately need his speed and big-play ability against a young Steelers secondary on the rise.
Buffalo also received positive news out of the backfield: James Cook has fully recovered from a minor groin injury and practiced in full all week. Cook is expected to handle his full workload — a critical factor in a game where controlling tempo will help keep Rodgers off the field.
Defensively, the Bills were energized by the long-awaited return of Matt Milano, who practiced fully for the first time in six weeks following his leg injury. While his snap count has not yet been confirmed, simply having Milano available sent a shockwave of excitement through the locker room. Ed Oliver and Rasul Douglas also logged full practices throughout the week, giving Buffalo its most complete defensive lineup since early October.
But the moment that truly sent Bills Mafia into a frenzy came from head coach Sean McDermott, who delivered a powerful message during the final team meeting before the trip to Pittsburgh.
“This isn’t just another game. This is the moment for the entire NFL to see that Buffalo still carries the DNA of a Super Bowl contender. Respect isn’t something you’re given — it’s something you take back. And with the positive signs from guys everyone thought would be out, I know we’re ready to answer Pittsburgh in the Buffalo way.”
Players described the reaction as explosive. The offense regained key firepower. The defense returned to near full strength. And the team’s confidence surged at the perfect moment.
The Steelers may have Rodgers, T.J. Watt and one of the loudest home atmospheres in football. But the Bills now have their weapons back, their backbone restored — and above all, the belief that this game could mark Buffalo’s true re-entry into the Super Bowl race.
And on Sunday, the NFL is about to see exactly what that looks like.
