Injury Update: Buffalo Bills' defensive "Steel Wall" star will miss the next game following a serious injury in the game-changing play that secured the Bills' dominant victory.

Injury Update: Buffalo Bills' defensive "Steel Wall" star will miss the next game following a serious injury in the game-changing play that secured the Bills' dominant victory.

October 28, 2025 – Buffalo, New York

Ed Oliver, the standout defensive tackle known as the "steel wall" for the Buffalo Bills, will be out indefinitely after suffering a torn biceps in the team’s 40-9 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The injury will require surgery and is a major blow to the Bills’ defense, which has already been dealing with injuries to key players this season.

The injury occurred late in the second quarter during a pivotal tackle when Oliver fell to the turf after a three-yard run from Chuba Hubbard of the Panthers. Oliver immediately began flexing his left arm, clearly feeling pain. He was assisted off the field by the medical staff and taken into the medical tent, eventually being ruled out for the rest of the game. After the game, an MRI confirmed the severity of the injury.

“I was in pain the whole game, but I didn’t want to come out,” Oliver shared after the diagnosis. “I knew the team needed me, but I just couldn’t continue. I just hope I can help and contribute in the games ahead.”
“Despite the injury, I feel good because I did my part in this game,” Oliver added. “We got the dominant win, and I did everything I could to contribute to that. I just hope the team keeps pushing forward.”

Oliver, who has had a tough season already after missing four games due to an ankle injury, was starting to regain his form after returning to the field earlier this month. He had played in the last three games, accumulating 12 tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. Before being injured on Sunday, Oliver had recorded 3 tackles and 1 sack in the first half of the Panthers game, helping the team maintain control on defense.

“This is a big loss for us,” head coach Sean McDermott said. “Ed is a crucial part of the team, and we’ll have to keep fighting without him. But we believe the remaining players will step up and do their job.”

Losing Oliver creates a significant gap in the Bills' defensive line, which has already been hit by multiple injuries. T.J. Sanders and DeWayne Carter are currently on injured reserve, and DaQuan Jones has missed the last two games due to a calf injury. However, the team recently welcomed Larry Ogunjobi, the veteran defensive tackle, back from a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy.

With the Bills' defense already struggling, Oliver’s injury further raises concerns about the strength of the defensive line for the remainder of the season. As the team prepares for Week 9 and the upcoming games, they will need support from the remaining healthy players to fill the void left by Oliver.