Dion Dawkins Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Bills vs Browns game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Dec 5, 2025
Clears concussion protocol
Dawkins has cleared the league's concussion protocol and will be available for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News reports.
ANALYSIS
Dawkins was a full participant in Friday's practice, and after being cleared from the league's protocol by an independent neurologist, the veteran offensive lineman has been given the green light to play Sunday. With Dawkins back at left tackle, Ryan Van Demark will revert to a depth role on the offensive line.
Dec 3, 2025
Remains in concussion protocol
Dawkins (concussion) will practice in a limited capacity Wednesday, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The 31-year-old was sidelined for Bills' Week 13 win over the Steelers after sustaining a concussion the game prior. Dawkins still needs to clear the NFL's five-step protocol in order to play in Sunday's matchup against the Bengals. If he's unable to do so, Ryan Van Demark will likely start at left tackle.
Nov 28, 2025
Won't play Sunday
Dawkins (concussion) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Steelers, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Dawkins opened Buffalo's week of practice with back-to-back DNPs after sustaining a concussion in the Week 12 loss to the Texans, so it's no surprise that he'll be sidelined Sunday. With Dawkins and Spencer Brown (shoulder) both out in Week 13, the Bills are expected to start Ryan Van Demark and Chase Lundt at left and right tackle, respectively.
Nov 26, 2025
In concussion protocol
Dawkins (concussion) will not practice Wednesday, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Dawkins was apparently placed in concussion protocol following the Bills' Week 12 loss to the Texans, so it's no surprise he's sidelined Wednesday. The veteran offensive lineman must clear the NFL's five-step protocol in order to play in Sunday's matchup against the Steelers. If he's unable to do so, expect Ryan Van Demark or Chase Lundt to assume Buffalo's top left tackle duties.
Jan 23, 2025
Logs full practice Thursday
Dawkins (illness) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
Dawkins was limited in Wednesday's practice due to an illness, but he appears to be over the issue as he participated in Thursday's session without restrictions. Barring any setbacks, Dawkins should serve as the Bills' starting left tackle in Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs.
Jan 22, 2025
Misses practice due to illness
Dawkins (illness) did not practice Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Dawkins will have two more opportunities to upgrade his practice activity, before Buffalo decides his game designation for Sunday's AFC Championship Game at Kansas City. The Pro Bowl left tackle's availability, or lack thereof, will be crucial for Buffalo's offense, especially against a Kansas City defense that sacked quarterback C.J. Stroud eight times during its divisional-round win over the Texans.
Mar 11, 2024
Gets extension from Buffalo
Dawkins has agreed to a three-year extension to remain with the Bills.
ANALYSIS
Dawkins is thus slated to continue to anchor the Bills offensive line through the 2027 season. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Pro Bowler's three-year extension is worth $60.5 million, with the move expected to make the 2017 second-rounder the fourth highest-paid tackle in the league.
Jan 12, 2024
Good to go vs. Pittsburgh
Dawkins (hand) does not carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's wild-card game against the Steelers.
ANALYSIS
Dawkins did not participate in the Bills' walk-through Wednesday, but he finished the week as a full participant in Friday's practice. He cut his hand in Buffalo's Week 18 victory over Miami, which required stitches.
Jan 7, 2024
Questionable to return
Dawkins is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Dolphins due to a hand laceration.
ANALYSIS
Dawkins sustained a significant cut on his hand in the second half of Sunday's matchup and had to go to the locker room to get stitches. It's unclear whether he'll be able to return in the closing minutes of Sunday's game or whether he'll be available for the start of the playoffs.
Aug 14, 2023
Returned to action
Dawkins (hand) played six snaps in Saturday's preseason game against the Colts.
ANALYSIS
Dawkins was dealing with the injury earlier in August, but he's made a full recovery considering he suited up for preseason action. The 29-year-old's ability to return quickly is good news for the Bills, as the two-time Pro Bowler is a key part of their offensive line.
Aug 7, 2023
Considered day-to-day
Dawkins suffered a hand injury in practice Monday, Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News reports.
ANALYSIS
Dawkins' injury doesn't appear to be significant which is good news for Buffalo. The 29-year-old made the Pro Bowl in each of his last two seasons as the team's starter at left tackle, and he remains an important piece of their offensive line.
Dec 11, 2022
Good to go this weekend
Dawkins (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Jets.
ANALYSIS
Dawkins missed Buffalo's Week 13 matchup versus New England as a result of an ankle issue, but he's now slated to limit his absence streak to just one game and reclaim his starting left tackle spot Sunday against New York.
Dec 9, 2022
Practices, still questionable
Dawkins (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Jets.
ANALYSIS
Despite the injury designation, Dawkins' full participation in practice signals he's probably trending towards playing in Week 14. Should the Pro Bowler need to sit out for a second consecutive game though, David Quessenberry would likely start at left tackle.
Nov 30, 2022
Missing first game of the year
Dawkins (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Patriots.
ANALYSIS
Dawkins was forced out of the Bills' Thanksgiving matchup versus the Lions due to an apparent ankle injury, and he's since been unable to log any practice activity prior to the Week 13 contest in New England. In his absence, David Quessenberry is the likely candidate to fulfill a starting spot on Buffalo's offensive line.
Nov 24, 2022
Managing ankle injury
Dawkins exited Thursday's game against the Lions due to an ankle injury.
ANALYSIS
Dawkins was shaken up in the third quarter Thursday, and it's unclear whether he'll be available down the stretch. David Quessenberry will likely see increased playing time for Buffalo if Dawkins is unable to return.
Dec 25, 2021
Clears protocols
Dawkins was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday.
ANALYSIS
This is significant news for a Bills offense that's been depleted by COVID issues all week. Dawkins will seemingly resume his starting left tackle role, while the Bills still remain down two O-Line starters in Jon Feliciano and Cody Ford, both of whom remain in the protocols.
Dec 17, 2021
Tests positive for virus
Head coach Sean McDermott said Dawkins tested positive for COVID-19 and will be placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Per Glab, McDermott isn't ruling Dawkins out from gaining clearance for Sunday's game against the Carolina, which suggests the offensive tackle is vaccinated and therefore has a chance to test out of the protocol if he's asymptomatic. Dawkins was previously hospitalized over the summer due to what was apparently a more severe bout with the virus.
Aug 17, 2021
Reveals problems with COVID
Dawkins, who was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list last week, revealed Tuesday that his bout with the virus was serious and he ended up hospitalized for four days, Dante Lasting of the Bills' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The starting left tackle has been practicing regularly since being activated, though Dawkins describes the virus as taking a major toll for weeks. Indications out of Buffalo's camp are that he'll be fine for the regular season, though it's at least worth mentioning that in cases like this, it can take awhile before the player is truly back to 100 percent. Given Dawkins' importance to the Buffalo offense -- and more specifically his protection of franchise quarterback Josh Allen -- we assume they'll be keeping close tabs on his progress and fitness.
Aug 12, 2021
Returns to work
Dawkins was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.
ANALYSIS
Dawkins will run unopposed for the starting left tackle job, where he's expected to protect franchise quarterback Josh Allen for the next several years.
Jul 28, 2021
Sidelined due to COVID
General Manager Brandon Beane announced Wednesday that Dawkins and fellow lineman Ike Boettger have tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be allowed at the team facility until they pass all protocols, Dante Lasting of the Bills' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
On the positive side of things, Dawkins tested positive long before the season, and given that he has plenty of experience with the offense and is the locked-in starting left tackle, this may not be a huge concern for the team as long as he can get healthy and pass through the protocols without delays.
Oct 2, 2020
Ready for Week 4
Dawkins (shoulder) won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Raiders.
ANALYSIS
The 26-year-old sustained the injury during last Sunday's win over the Rams and began the week not practicing, but he progressed to full practice participation Friday to avoid the questionable tag. Dawkins should post up in his usual spot at left tackle versus Las Vegas.
Sep 30, 2020
Misses Week 4 opening session
Dawkins (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday after hurting himself in Sunday's win over the Rams.
ANALYSIS
Dawkins ended up missing eight of the team's 62 offensive plays in the win. The Bills have done a good job protecting an incredibly effective Josh Allen so far this season, so their left tackle's status for Sunday's game in Las Vegas is something that should be monitored.
Sep 27, 2020
Gets hurt Sunday
Dawkins suffered a shoulder injury during Sunday's game against the Rams.
ANALYSIS
Dawkins suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter, so he failed to return to the contest. His practice status Tuesday and Wednesday will paint a clearer picture on his chances to suit up for next week's game against the Raiders.
Aug 13, 2020
Staying in Buffalo long term
Dawkins signed a four-year extension with the Billss on Thursday.
ANALYSIS
One day after the team locked up its coach for the next several years, the Bills decided to do the same with their starting left tackle. The Bills are well-positioned to have long-term success in the AFC East, especially with the Patriots going through some changes, so locking up as many pieces as they can for the next 4-5 year stretch seems like prudent planning.
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