Buffalo Bills MVP Josh Allen is known for many things. High on the list is the toughness he plays with each week.
Allen's toughness was on full display during Week 2 of the NFL season, as he bled profusely from his nose after something of a freak play against the New York Jets. Despite the gory nature of the injury, Allen wasn't sidelined for too long and returned to the game to lead his team to a 30-10 win and a 2-0 record on the young season.
While Allen's nose injury isn't likely to cause him to miss any time, it did leave some noticeable markings that may stick with him for some time. Here is what to know about Allen's injury, including how it happened and how it was diagnosed.
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What happened to Josh Allen's nose?
Allen was hit in the nose area during Buffalo's Week 2 win over the Jets.
Late in the first quarter, a New York defender's hand made it through the facemask of a diving Allen. The force of the contact caused Allen's helmet to come down on the bridge of his nose, and blood began to gush. He briefly exited the game while trainers tended to him to stop the bleeding.
Josh Allen gets hit in the face on this play and has come off the field pic.twitter.com/bF68E9MDa0
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) September 14, 2025
Here's how Allen explained it:
Josh Allen explaining what happened on the play where got a bloody nose.
— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) September 14, 2025
And how impressive Mitch Trubisky was replacing him.
"We can breathe, so it's good."#Bills pic.twitter.com/7xKNI8VNmS
Trainers placed gauze in Allen's nostril to stop the bleeding, and he eventually returned to the field.
.@tracywolfson reports Josh Allen was bleeding profusely from his nose, but has since returned to the game after attention on the sideline. pic.twitter.com/bRiJXIzQRc
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 14, 2025
Allen's nose bled intermittently throughout Sunday afternoon, and the hit resulted in noticeable bruising and swelling.
MORE: Meet Josh Allen's family, from his actress wife to Allen Family Farms roots
Did Josh Allen break his nose?
There has been no confirmation on whether Allen's nose is broken. To this point, the injury distinction has been nothing more than a bruise.
Allen spoke more about his nose two days before returning to the field for "Thursday Night Football."
Josh Allen expects to wear clear visor to protect bruised nose TNF vs. Dolphins. He wore it at practice today.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) September 16, 2025
Allen: “A little bruised up but we’re good… I’m the 3rd Bosa brother.”
No vision impact. A little warmer & voice echoes in there. He wore one in college but not NFL. pic.twitter.com/vMLUSlQOq9
To protect the injury, Allen is planning to wear a visor in Week 3, and potentially beyond.
MORE: Why Josh Allen is wearing a visor following Week 2 nose injury
Josh Allen nose before and after
The state of Allen's nose injury can best be viewed in phases.
The hit caused bleeding, bruising, and swelling, prompting Allen to joke that he was the "third Bosa brother now."
Before
After
And here’s Josh Allen’s nose. Definitely black and blue, said it was gushing blood and keeps bleeding a but, but noted that he can breathe. pic.twitter.com/R4FEGuHxlF
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) September 14, 2025