Josh Allen’s injury status gets murkier after missing another practice

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen didn’t practice for a second consecutive day Thursday as he deals with an elbow injury.

Allen didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice but was on the field with the Bills during the practice portion that was closed to the media.

“He was still joking around and laughing and pranking guys and asking crazy questions,” pass-rusher Von Miller told reporters. “He was the same exact Josh that he’s always been.”

Allen suffered an injury to his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow when Jets defensive linemen Bryce Huff hit Allen’s throwing arm resulting in a fumble at the end of the Bills’ 20-17 loss.

Bills’ head coach Sean McDermott described Allen’s injury as day-to-day, and his status for the Bills’ game Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings is still up in the air.

Allen hasn’t missed a game since 2018 when he was sidelined for four games with a similar UCL injury in the same elbow.

Former Vikings quarterback Case Keenum would start in place of Allen if he can’t play Sunday. Keenum saw action in seven games last season with the Cleveland Browns and went 2-0 in two starts.

“I’m doing the same thing I do every week, I prepare to play every week, every day, every period, every practice, every meeting,” Keenum said. “So it’s the same just got a few more reps today. I feel great, feel great with the communication, the mindset of the team with [offensive coordinator Ken] Dorsey, and the communication from Sean everybody and taking it a day at a time.”

The loss of Allen would be a huge blow for Buffalo. The quarterback has accounted for 82 percent of the Bills’ yardage and 92 percent of their offensive touchdowns this season, both the highest in the NFL.

“Josh makes the wheels a little bit more greasy, of course, because he’s just, he’s just special,” wide receiver Stefon Diggs said. “So, it’s just like, of course it’s not easy when he’s out there. Things do happen when he’s out there. So, he do make the wheels a little greasy but they got to turn.”

If Keenum starts in place of Allen he would be the fourth backup quarterback the Vikings have played so far this season. Minnesota and Buffalo are atop their respective divisions but the Vikings have a much larger lead. Bills-Vikings will kickoff at 1 p.m. on FOX on Sunday.