Bills Coach: Damien Harris Fully Recovers from Neck Injury, Regains Complete Movement

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills running back Damien Harris suffered a significant neck injury during Sunday night’s game against the New York Giants. The incident resulted in Harris being taken off the field in an ambulance and transported to a local hospital.

According to Coach Sean McDermott, Harris has full movement in his body and the initial scans are positive. McDermott expressed optimism about Harris’s condition, stating, “Things are heading in a good direction right now for Damien,” following Buffalo’s 14-9 win.

The injury occurred when Harris was running the football on third-and-1 in the second quarter. He took a hit to the neck area and collided with Bills right guard O’Cyrus Torrence before being brought down by Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke. Harris attempted to continue running before being tackled by Okereke.

Medical personnel and Bills athletic trainers immediately rushed to Harris’s aid, with the entire Bills sideline rallying around him. After several minutes, Harris was loaded into an ambulance and gave a thumbs-up sign to signal that he had movement in his arms and legs.

Left tackle Dion Dawkins expressed his emotional response to the incident, highlighting the gravity of the situation. Dawkins remarked, “It’s really an emotional thing, and people be trying to act like we’re unhuman like … that stuff is real. It’s very real, and Damien’s our brother. He’s our friend, and we know him personally. To see him laying down … he just found out two days ago that he was having a boy.”

Harris, known for his upbeat presence in the locker room and excitement about his growing family, arrived at the game wearing a distinctive blue sweater with a goose design. Bills quarterback Josh Allen acknowledged Harris’s impact on the team and expressed hope for his recovery, saying, “He’s been so great, Damien, coming here, and I know he’s only been here for a few months, obviously this training camp, but the juice that he brings and the tough-nose running that he brings to this offense, you can’t really replace it.”

During the same game, Allen himself sustained an injury to his right throwing shoulder. However, scans revealed no major issues, and he stated that he was not affected by the injury.

Harris, who joined the Bills as a free agent this season, had played as a backup. Despite limited playing time, he quickly acclimated to the team and had a successful offseason. Prior to the injury, Harris had recorded 22 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown, along with two receptions for 16 yards.

The Buffalo Bills community, along with fans and players from across the league, are sending well wishes to Damien Harris as he recovers from his neck injury.