Josh Allen: Injury history| Is hurt| Rushing stats

Introduction

In this article, we dive deep into Josh Allen’s injury history, examine whether he is currently hurt or carrying any lingering issues, and analyze his rushing statistics over his NFL career. This combination gives fans and analysts a full picture of not just his performance but his durability and long-term potential.

1. Josh Allen’s Injury History

Josh Allen’s path in the NFL hasn’t been without setbacks. While he has proven remarkably durable for a quarterback who runs as often as he does, he has had several notable injuries over the years.

1.1 Concussion (2019)

One of Allen’s early significant injuries came in 2019, when he suffered a helmet-to-helmet hit against the New England Patriots. According to reports, he left the game, underwent evaluation, but eventually returned. The fact that he returned quickly underscores both his toughness and how carefully concussion protocols are handled in the NFL.

1.2 Turf Toe (2021)

In the 2021 season, Allen reportedly injured his foot – specifically a turf toe – during a game vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Turf toe is a toe joint injury common on artificial turf that can hamper push-off and mobility, which is especially risky for a quarterback who runs.

Despite the injury, Allen played through it. In fact, in that same game vs. Tampa Bay, he put up a historic performance: 308 passing yards, two touchdowns through the air, and 109 rushing yards + 1 rushing touchdown. He became just the fourth quarterback in NFL history (at that time) to throw 300+ yards and rush for 100+ yards in a single game.

1.3 Elbow Injury (2022)

In the 2022 season, Allen reportedly suffered a partial elbow tear in a game against the New York Jets (Week 9) according to injury-tracking sources. Interestingly, he did not miss any starts after that injury — showing both his resilience and the team’s trust in him.

1.4 Hand Fracture (2024)

A more recent and widely discussed injury is from the 2024 season: Allen played much of the year with a fractured non-throwing hand. The injury reportedly happened in Week 1 on a rushing touchdown, when he landed awkwardly, injuring his left (non-throwing) hand.

Remarkably, he continued to play without wearing a protective brace — only a glove — and still performed at a high level. His toughness was on full display, and the injury did not visibly derail his season.

2. Is Josh Allen Currently Hurt?

Given Allen’s history and playing style, fans often watch his injury reports closely. As of now:

• The hand fracture from 2024 was being managed with a glove, and there were no frequent reports of him missing games due to re-injury.

• In more recent games (2025), previous injury concerns haven’t dominated headlines in terms of long-term absence. The fact that he continued to produce suggests that either the injury has healed sufficiently or has been well managed.

It’s also worth noting that Allen has played through leg discomfort on occasion; for example, in 2021 he put in a “warrior” performance despite leg issues.

Therefore, while he has had injuries that could raise red flags, his record suggests he is not currently (as of the latest reports) dealing with a new, major injury that significantly limits his play, though like most NFL quarterbacks, he may carry some risk because of his aggressive, physical playing style.

3. Josh Allen’s Rushing Statistics: A Deep Dive

Beyond the injuries, one of Allen’s greatest strengths is his rushing ability. For a quarterback, his running game is not just a bonus — it’s central to his impact. Let’s break down his rushing stats year by year and analyze what makes him special.

Using his career stats:

3.1 Year-by-Year Rushing Breakdown

Here’s a summary of Allen’s rushing performance per season (regular season), based on official NFL stats:

• Total (career): 818 attempts, 4,453 yards, average 5.4 yards per carry, 72 rushing touchdowns.

• His longest rush in his career is 45 yards.

3.2 Analysis of Rushing Style & Impact

1. High Efficiency

   • Allen’s average of 5.4 yards per carry over his career is exceptional for a quarterback. It shows that when he runs, he’s more than just scrabbling for a few; he’s making meaningful gains.

2. Scoring Threat

   • With 72 rushing touchdowns in his career so far, Allen is among the most productive running QBs in the league. His ability to convert rushes into touchdowns is a huge weapon, especially in red-zone or short-yardage situations.

3. Durability Under Pressure

   • Despite his aggressive running style (which increases injury risk), Allen has maintained relatively consistent production. His season-to-season rushing yardage and attempts have not dropped off sharply, indicating that Bills coaching trusts him to run and that he can handle the physical toll.

4. Big-Play Ability

   • His longest runs (going up to 45 yards) show he has the athleticism to break loose and make game-changing scrambles. These aren’t just QB sneaks — he can extend plays and turn broken pockets into big gains.

5. Risk vs Reward

   • With power comes risk. His fumbles (38 total over his career according to NFL stats) reflect the danger of him carrying the ball. But Buffalo seems to accept that risk, balancing it with the upside of his running threat. Josh Allen injury history.

4. How His Injuries Relate to His Running Game

Allen’s injury history and his rushing style are deeply intertwined. Understanding this helps illustrate both his strengths and the long-term concerns around his physical health.

1. High Exposure to Contact: Every time Allen tucks the ball and runs, he exposes himself to hits that most pocket-pass QBs avoid. That increases the risk of both acute injuries (like the 2024 hand fracture) and wear-and-tear (e.g., turf toe).

2. Recovery & Resilience: Despite these risks, Allen’s ability to bounce back (as seen with his elbow tear and foot injury) shows his high pain tolerance, good medical care, and strong mental fortitude.

3. Management by Coaching Staff: The Bills have generally trusted him to run, but they also appear savvy in managing his health. The fact that he played through injuries but didn’t suffer catastrophic breakdowns suggests a good balance.

4. Long-Term Risk: As Allen accumulates more rushing attempts and ages, the cumulative effect of contact may raise concerns. Repeated stress, particularly on his joints (ankles, knees) and upper limbs (hand, elbow), could lead to more significant injuries. Josh Allen injury history.

5. Josh Allen’s Current Health Outlook and Forecast

Based on his history and playstyle, here’s an informed projection of Allen’s health outlook and what to watch for going forward.

• Short-Term: He seems likely to remain a starting quarterback who runs. Unless there’s a significant injury, the Bills will continue to leverage his dual-threat abilities.

• Risk Management: Buffalo’s medical and coaching staff will likely continue to monitor him closely, especially after his 2024 hand fracture. They may limit certain types of plays in high-risk situations (e.g., designed rushes in early-down deep-threat scenarios) or work on protective strategies.

• Longevity: The big question is durability over the span of his contract and career. If Allen can avoid serious injury over the next few years, his rushing and passing combo could make him one of the defining QBs of his era. But even with his toughness, the physical demands of his style may get more challenging with time.

• Potential Adjustments: As he matures, Allen might evolve to run less aggressively or rely more on zone-read and play-action, preserving his body while still being a threat. Josh Allen injury history.

6. Why His Rushing Stats Matter (Beyond Just Numbers)

Josh Allen’s rushing ability isn’t just a personal stat – it shapes Buffalo’s offense and how defenses game-plan against him.

• Red-Zone Weapon: His rushing touchdowns make him a nightmare near the goal line. Defenses must respect his escape ability, which opens up options for play-action passes or quarterback sneaks.

• Extending Plays: Allen’s athleticism forces defenders to stay disciplined. When plays break down, he buys extra seconds with his legs, turning broken plays into positive yardage.

• Dual-Threat Influence: Because he’s a legitimate running threat, the Bills’ playbook can be more dynamic. They can run read-options, RPOs (run-pass options), or keep him as a dedicated passer. This flexibility makes their offense harder to defend.

• Psychological Edge: His willingness to run — even in risky situations — sends a message. It shows confidence, toughness, and leadership. That’s not just useful for stats; it’s inspiring to his teammates and intimidating to opponents. Josh Allen injury history.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Here are some common questions about Josh Allen’s injury history, health status, and rushing game:

Q1: Has Josh Allen had any major injuries that caused him to miss a lot of games?
A1: While Allen has had injuries (concussion in 2019, turf toe in 2021, elbow issue in 2022, hand fracture in 2024), he hasn’t missed a significant portion of multiple seasons. He has shown resilience and the ability to play through pain.

Q2: Did Allen’s hand fracture in 2024 affect his play?
A2: Reports suggest he played much of the 2024 season with a fractured non-throwing hand, using only a glove. Despite that, he maintained high performance, which speaks to his toughness.

Q3: How good is Josh Allen as a running quarterback?
A3: Very good. He averages 5.4 yards per carry over his career, which is excellent for a QB. He also has 72 rushing touchdowns, making him one of the most productive runners at his position.

Q4: Does his running increase his risk of injury?
A4: Yes. Running quarterbacks take more hits than pocket-only QBs, which increases injury risk. Allen’s injury history reflects that risk, but he and the Bills seem to manage it well.

Q5: Will the Bills make him run less to protect him?
A5: It’s possible in the long term. As he ages or if injury risk becomes higher, they may dial back designed runs or rely more on passing and play-action. But so far, the running threat remains a key part of his game.

Q6: Can he still be effective if he runs less?
A6: Yes. Allen is also a very capable passer (with strong arm strength and improving accuracy). Even with fewer runs, he could remain a top quarterback by focusing more on play-action, pocket passing, and play designs that neutralize pass rush. Josh Allen injury history.

Conclusion

Josh Allen’s blend of power, mobility, and arm talent makes him one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the NFL. But that style comes with risk — his injury history reflects both the physical demands he places on himself and his ability to bounce back.

His rushing stats are not just a side note; they are a core part of his identity and what makes him special. With 72 career rushing touchdowns, an impressive yards-per-carry average, and big-play ability, he’s more than just a passer. He’s a dual-threat leader who changes how teams defend the Bills.

As long as Allen stays healthy — or smartly managed — he can continue to dominate both through the air and on the ground. But the inherent risk in his style means that durability will always be a key storyline in his career.