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Dawkins, the Bills’ left tackle, and LG Alec Anderson (ankle) were both absent today. They have an extra day to rest, since the Bills face the Vikings in Week 9’s Monday Night Football game. Hopefully, the extra time allows them to suit up against Minnesota’s elite defense.

The Bills’ game has little meaning with the team having locked up a playoff spot. They will either be the fifth or sixth seed, depending on the outcome of this game and the Texans’ game. The team might believe that they can beat the Jets without many of their starters, but we wouldn’t expect many starters to play key snaps here.

Players typically play through illnesses, but it would be nice to see Dawkins practice tomorrow after sitting out on Wednesday and Thursday. The Bills’ offensive line is tasked with fending off the Browns’ elite pass-rush unit this week. Stay tuned.

Dawkins was out of the non-contact jersey on Thursday and is now on track to play on Sunday against the Bengals. While Dawkins will be back in action after one game away, head coach Sean McDermott said EDGE Joey Bosa and LB Terrel Bernard would be out in Week 14, while WR Joshua Palmer will be listed as doubtful.

He did, however, shed his non-contact jersey, so he may be closer to clearing concussion protocol. Dawkins and Spencer Brown (shoulder, limited for the second day in a row) are both trending towards playing on Sunday, or at least hitting the questionable line on Friday. It would do wonders for Buffalo’s offense to have their bookend tackles back on Sunday against the Bengals.

Bills RT Spencer Brown (shoulder) also upgraded to limited. Both players were sidelined for the entirety of Week 13. The Bills face the Bengals’ pushover pass-rush unit in Week 14. Although the offense can likely get by without their starting offensive tackles, having them on the field would give Buffalo a significant edge in the trenches. Bills LB Terrel Bernard (elbow) remains sidelined.

Head coach Sean McDermott also ruled out RT Spencer Brown (shoulder), LB Terrel Bernard (elbow), and WR Curtis Samuel (elbow/knee), for Sunday’s contest. With both bookend tackles sidelined, the Bills will likely roll with Ryan Van Demark at left tackle and Chase Lundt at right tackle, which could make life tough for Josh Allen against a defense that has the fourth-highest blitz rate and fifth-highest sack total (34) this season.

Dawkins appears unlikely to suit up in Week 13 against the Steelers after entering the NFL’s concussion protocol and missing Wednesday’s practice. That would leave the Buffalo offense without both starting tackles against an aggressive Steelers pass rush. It could mean another outing full of pressures and hits for Josh Allen, who was banged up last week against the Texans.

NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent credits Bills LT Dion Dawkins and retired OT Andrew Whitworth for the award’s creation. Per ESPN, the “winner will be decided by a panel that includes a number of former offensive line greats.” Whitworth adds that Protector of the Year Award “isn’t just about stats—it’s about the mindset, grit, and leadership it takes to be the foundation of a football team.” The phrasing indicates that all offensive line positions will be eligible for the award, not just the high-value left tackle position that stars in today’s pass-heavy league.

Dawkins practiced on Thursday and Friday and should have no limitations on Sunday. It is great news for Josh Allen, who faces a stout Chiefs defense, featuring a talented pass rush.

Dawkins missed Wednesday’s practice due to an illness, but the veteran left tackle was never considered a risk of missing Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs. The Bills’ bookend tackle appears good to go for the weekend with one day of practice left to go.

Dawkins was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday, ahead of the Bills’ AFC Championship game bout against the Chiefs. He was listed with an illness, which does not seem serious enough to put his status for Sunday’s game in doubt. It is still notable that he did not practice, but for now, Bills fans can expect their left tackle to still play in the biggest game of the season.