Michael Hoecht Achilles Injury (Confirmed torn Achilles out for the year)

[NeverOutNick]

Just now, biggerdaddynj said:

Losing someone we’ve been waiting so long to get and who seemed to elevate the entire DL is devastating. I’m still sick. 
 

Thank God Max looked good (didn’t lose all our force multipliers).  And, Cole was a force tonight.  Happy thoughts, happy thoughts….  

This is spot on!

[In Summary]

29 minutes ago, GroteStreet said:

The injuries are now too much to overcome this year.  Save the draft capital, save the cap space, come back better next year.  Nothing we can get at the trade deadline will make up for these losses and get us to the super bowl.  Oliver and hoecht were two difference makers, not replaceable at a trade deadline.

There is some threshold of need where you know you can't meet all the needs for that season.

[Norcalbillsfan]

40 minutes ago, Walking Tall said:

Seriously, why is that? 

A team that has to face josh allen twice a year for the next 5 years would be idiotic to give josh allen a young explosive player.  It would be like the bills trading the chiefs Kincaid. Actually a little worse than Kincaid 

Edited 7 hours ago by Norcalbillsfan

[Bob in STL]

2 hours ago, Royale with Cheese said:

Look at what our defense has dealt with.

- Oliver done for the year

- Hoecht done for the year.

- TJ Sanders done most of the year

- DaQuan Jones out for awhile.

- Milano out for most of the year

dont forget the secondary 

[Success]

32 minutes ago, GroteStreet said:

The injuries are now too much to overcome this year.  Save the draft capital, save the cap space, come back better next year.  Nothing we can get at the trade deadline will make up for these losses and get us to the super bowl.  Oliver and hoecht were two difference makers, not replaceable at a trade deadline.

 

I mean, we've lost one key player for the season - Hoecht.  Oliver will likely be back for the playoffs. We lost Happ, but he really wasn't playing well.

 

VERY few teams get through the season without losing a key player.  We're not remotely close to "too much to overcome" territory right now.

 

[GASabresIUFan]

51 minutes ago, oldmanfan said:

Mahomes completed less than 50%. 

I think that was mostly Bosa and the pass rush. They hit Mahomes 15 times with 3 sacks for 24 yards.

Edited 7 hours ago by GASabresIUFan

[dollars 2 donuts]

 

Michael Hoecht

Buffalo Bill

October 26, 2025 to November 2, 2025

 

You made an impact while you were here for your 8 quarters. You will be missed.

 

…F***!

 

 

[Norcalbillsfan]

35 minutes ago, NoSaint said:

I’m not even sure about that. Last year Rice was a big one. Pacheco wasn’t right when he came back either. 

Rice absolutely but Pacheco isn't a game changer. When I make this statement its about game changers, the bills facing the chiefs in the post season have been without Milano, tre, von, Benford, rapp, daquon, and others when it counts. And the chiefs have missed rice, once. Obviously the chiefs have had thier fair share of injuries, but when it comes to post season health the bills are atrocious 

[FireChans]

4 minutes ago, Norcalbillsfan said:

Rice absolutely but Pacheco isn't a game changer. When I make this statement its about game changers, the bills facing the chiefs in the post season have been without Milano, tre, von, Benford, rapp, daquon, and others when it counts. And the chiefs have missed rice, once. Obviously the chiefs have had thier fair share of injuries, but when it comes to post season health the bills are atrocious 

Pacheco not being a game-changer but Rapp and Daquon being game-changers is certainly a take.

 

they have missed plenty of players over the years. They aren’t talked about as much because they win.

Edited 7 hours ago by FireChans

[Rousseauisnoschmo]

1 hour ago, Billzgobowlin said:

I don't agree. He's good but we can move on without him

How cute. BeastMaster has a burner account.

[NoSaint]

26 minutes ago, In Summary said:

There is some threshold of need where you know you can't meet all the needs for that season.

ultimately with the right bounces and right matchups we could win it…. 
 

the path just isn’t as wide as it could be

[Jerome007]

I was a huge fan of him watching his videos in the offseason, then how he played in the preseason, and how he has played since finally coming back. In this game he was already calling the defense! And now, pouf, gone for the year. WT H. I'm like in denial, as it if it won't happen somehow. It sucks. A dim on an overall awesome victory. 

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

27 minutes ago, FireChans said:

Pacheco not being a game-changer but Rapp and Daquon being game-changers is certainly a take.

 

they have missed plenty of players over the years. They aren’t talked about as much because they win.

Nothing that close to the bills losing virtually their entire linebacker room a couple years ago and being forced to get essentially a retired vet to cancel his Disney vacation to fill in has happened to the chiefs in the playoffs.  Not even sure it’s debatable.  Of course that’s just one of the four times though lol

 

benford/rapp getting hurt this past year forcing in absolute clowns was a very bad break and had a huge impact on the game but that’s gotta be a bit of a depth issue too.  Losing two DBs definitely shouldn’t cause that big of a falloff.  Of course you can’t have great depth everywhere either though so there is a bit of luck involved 

Edited 7 hours ago by Generic_Bills_Fan

[RiotAct]

38 minutes ago, Success said:

 

I mean, we've lost one key player for the season - Hoecht.  Oliver will likely be back for the playoffs. We lost Happ, but he really wasn't playing well.

 

VERY few teams get through the season without losing a key player.  We're not remotely close to "too much to overcome" territory right now.

 

damn your reasonable take!!!

 

Ed Oliver, I’d be surprised if he comes back for us even for the playoffs.  But we’ll see.

[zow2]

36 minutes ago, Success said:

 

I mean, we've lost one key player for the season - Hoecht.  Oliver will likely be back for the playoffs. We lost Happ, but he really wasn't playing well.

 

VERY few teams get through the season without losing a key player.  We're not remotely close to "too much to overcome" territory right now.

 

 

People on this post are so doomsday.  Probably many who were in the pregame thread today not giving the Bills a chance vs KC. I read them all.

 

It sucks he’s done. Feel Terrible for him. But other guys can and will step up to do their best.  Just pray that any future injuries do not involve the few guys that literally cannot be replaced or subbed in for.

[hondo in seattle]

I think if you look at man-games lost to injuries over the past few years, our numbers wouldn't stand out.

But if you could measure the number of games lost by injured key defensive starters, we'd lead the league.  

[Puckman5]

1 hour ago, BullBuchanan said:

That's PRECISELY what he was and why he was brought here. He was a force multiplier that elevated the entire squad.

Agree.  He was explosive and played with a lot of intensity.  Not saying all hope is lost, but it's an even bigger hit with Oliver out.  

[SCBills]

32 minutes ago, FireChans said:

Pacheco not being a game-changer but Rapp and Daquon being game-changers is certainly a take.

 

they have missed plenty of players over the years. They aren’t talked about as much because they win.

Nah .. only time they had serious injuries like what we’ve dealt with on the defensive side of the ball in the postseason they got SMOKED by the Bucs 

[pi2000]

It feels like karma in a way 

 

He took PEDs and maybe that, or missing time due to suspension, tilted the odds in favor of a ruptured achilles.

[davefan66]

By the time he comes back, he will be at minimum halfway through his contract.