Dion Dawkins Enters Concussion Protocol for the Buffalo Bills

As the Buffalo Bills fight to secure a top seed in the AFC playoffs, the team received a significant blow this week: veteran left tackle Dion Dawkins has entered the NFL’s concussion protocol, ruling him out of practice and putting his availability for Sunday’s critical matchup against the Miami Dolphins in jeopardy. Dawkins, a 7-year NFL veteran and the Bills’ longest-tenured offensive lineman, suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of Buffalo’s Week 16 win over the New England Patriots, when he collided with Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. while blocking on a running play. The Bills’ medical staff initially evaluated Dawkins on the sideline, but he did not return to the game—a sign of the team’s cautious approach to head injuries. Dion Dawkins Enters Concussion Protocol for the Buffalo Bills breaks down the details of the injury, the NFL’s concussion protocol process, Dawkins’ role in Buffalo’s offense, and what his absence could mean for the Bills’ playoff aspirations.

Dion Dawkins Enters Concussion Protocol for the Buffalo Bills begins with the specifics of the incident and initial reaction. The collision occurred with 3:42 remaining in the fourth quarter, as Dawkins was tasked with blocking Wise to create a lane for Bills running back James Cook. Video replays show Wise pushing forward while Dawkins leaned into the block, leading to a helmet-to-helmet impact. Dawkins immediately stumbled backward after the play, clutching his head, and was escorted to the sideline by Bills trainers. After a 10-minute evaluation in the medical tent, the team announced he was “questionable to return” with a head injury—he never retook the field, with backup tackle Ryan Van Demark replacing him for the final drives. Bills head coach Sean McDermott addressed the injury briefly after the game, saying, “Dion is a tough competitor, and we’re taking this one day at a time. Our medical staff will follow the protocol to the letter, and we’ll have more updates as they become available.” This marks the first time Dawkins has entered concussion protocol in his NFL career, adding to the concern around his status.

To understand what Dion Dawkins Enters Concussion Protocol for the Buffalo Bills means in practice, it’s essential to outline the NFL’s standardized concussion protocol—a multi-step process designed to protect players’ health. The protocol begins with a “sideline assessment,” where trainers check for symptoms like dizziness, confusion, or memory loss (Dawkins likely completed this step during the Patriots game). Next, the player undergoes a “comprehensive neurological evaluation” the following day, which includes cognitive tests, balance drills, and a review of medical history. If cleared, the player progresses to “gradual return to activity”: first light aerobic exercise (jogging, cycling), then football-specific drills (without contact), then full practice with contact. Only after passing all these steps—and receiving clearance from both the team’s medical staff and an independent neurological consultant—can a player return to game action. The process typically takes 3-7 days, but there is no set timeline; each player recovers at their own pace. For Dawkins, this means he will miss at least Wednesday and Thursday’s practices, with Friday’s status determining his availability for the Dolphins game. “The protocol is there for a reason—player safety is the priority,” said Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer. “We won’t rush any player back, no matter how important the game is.”

Dion Dawkins Enters Concussion Protocol for the Buffalo Bills also highlights why Dawkins’ absence would be a major loss for the team’s offense. As Buffalo’s starting left tackle since 2017, Dawkins is responsible for protecting quarterback Josh Allen’s blind side—a critical role given Allen’s tendency to extend plays and scramble. This season, Dawkins has allowed just 2 sacks and 8 quarterback hits in 15 games, ranking 8th among NFL left tackles in “pass-block win rate” (per Pro Football Focus). He’s also a leader in the locker room, serving as one of the Bills’ team captains and mentoring younger linemen like rookie guard O’Cyrus Torrence. Beyond pass protection, Dawkins is a key run-blocker, helping clear lanes for Cook (who has rushed for 924 yards this season) and Allen (458 rushing yards, 8 touchdowns). Without him, the Bills would likely turn to Van Demark—a 2022 undrafted free agent with just 12 career snaps at left tackle—or move right tackle Spencer Brown to the left side and insert backup David Quessenberry at right tackle. Both options would create a mismatch against the Dolphins’ pass rush, which features Pro Bowl edge rusher Bradley Chubb (11 sacks this season). For the Buffalo Bills, keeping Allen healthy is paramount to their playoff success—and Dawkins is the team’s best defender against opposing pass rushers. “Dion is irreplaceable in our offense,” said Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. “He’s the guy who keeps Josh upright, and we’ll have to adjust if he can’t play. But we have confidence in our depth, and we’ll be ready either way.”

Another layer of Dion Dawkins Enters Concussion Protocol for the Buffalo Bills is the team’s history of handling concussion injuries responsibly. In recent years, the Bills have been praised for their cautious approach to head injuries—most notably with Allen, who entered protocol twice in 2021 but was not rushed back to play. The team’s medical staff, led by head athletic trainer Nate Breske, has a track record of following the NFL’s protocol strictly, even when it means sidelining key players for important games. For example, in 2022, Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs missed one game after entering protocol, and the team chose to rest him despite a tight playoff race. This approach aligns with McDermott’s philosophy of “long-term health over short-term gains,” a message he has emphasized repeatedly to players and staff. “We’re not just building a team to win this week—we’re building a team that takes care of its players for life,” McDermott said in a 2023 interview. For the Buffalo Bills, this means Dawkins will not return to the field until he is fully symptom-free and cleared by all medical professionals—even if it costs them a win against the Dolphins. “Our players trust that we’ll do right by them,” Breske said. “When they enter protocol, they know we’re not going to cut corners. That trust is essential to our team’s culture.”

The final dimension of Dion Dawkins Enters Concussion Protocol for the Buffalo Bills is the impact on the AFC playoff picture. The Bills currently hold the No. 3 seed in the AFC, with a 12-3 record, but they are still in contention for the No. 2 seed (and a first-round bye) if they win their remaining two games and the Kansas City Chiefs lose. A loss to the Dolphins (11-4) would not only hurt their seeding but also give Miami the upper hand in the AFC East division race—Buffalo currently leads the division by one game. If Dawkins is sidelined, the Bills’ offense could struggle to protect Allen against the Dolphins’ pass rush, which ranks 6th in the NFL in sacks (42). This could force Allen to rush throws or scramble more, increasing his risk of injury. However, the Bills have proven resilient in the face of adversity this season—they’ve won three games without key players (including Diggs and Cook) and have one of the NFL’s top defenses (ranked 4th in points allowed per game). For the Buffalo Bills, Dawkins’ injury is a challenge, but it’s not insurmountable. “We’ve been in tough spots before, and we’ve found a way to win,” Allen said in a Wednesday press conference. “Dion is a big part of our team, but we have guys who can step up. Our focus is on preparing for Miami, and we’ll be ready to play our best football Sunday.” As the Bills await updates on Dawkins’ status, one thing is clear: their playoff push just got a little harder—but this team has the talent and mindset to overcome it.