Buffalo Bills WR's season over after landing on IR ahead of Jaguars Wild-Card game

The Bills' offseason addition failed to score a touchdown during an unproductive, injury-plagued campaign.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer (5) catches a pass as Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (27) defends in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium. | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

It’s over.

Joshua Palmer’s first season since signing a three-year, $29 million free-agent contract has officially come to an end after the Buffalo Bills placed the 26-year-old wide receiver on Injured Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

Palmer was initially deemed questionable to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to an ankle injury, but was ruled out a day ahead of Sunday’s Wild-Card matchup and subsequently placed on IR hours later. He is now out for the rest of the season.

RELATED: All-Pro voters show lack of respect for NFL's rushing leader, Bills' offensive line

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Gabe Davis (13) celebrates with wide receiver Joshua Palmer (5) after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium. | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

What a dud

Palmer recorded just 22 receptions for 303 yards and was held without a touchdown through 12 injury-plagued games this year. His season got off to a hot start with a five-reception, 61-yard performance in a win over the Baltimore Ravens, but it turned out that was his most impactful outing of the season.

The five-year veteran sustained knee and ankle injuries, which forced him to exit a Week 6 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons and miss the next three games. He never recovered from the ankle ailment, which lingered throughout the remainder of the regular season, causing him to miss an additional two matchups down the stretch before forcing him to IR.

MORE: One surprise as pair of Buffalo Bills players named All-Pros

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer (5) runs the ball against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) during the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium. | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Big disappointment

A lot was expected from Palmer at the outset of the 2025 campaign, as he was brought in to help aid a Bills’ passing game that was lacking reasonable options at wide receiver. But a reasonable dynamic never developed between him and quarterback Josh Allen, in part due to injuries, and now he finds himself on the mend and looking forward to next season.

With Palmer out, the Bills are down to five wide receivers on their active roster: Khalil Shakir, Brandin Cooks, Tyrell Shavers, Gabe Davis and Keon Coleman. Mecole Hardman, who has appeared in two games for the team this season, is on the practice squad but was not elevated for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Game-day rosters will be released at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.

— Sign up for OnSI’s Free Buffalo Bills Newsletter —

More Buffalo Bills News:

• Ed Oliver's return 'not out of question' for possible Bills' Divisional Round matchup

• Over $21M in wasted cap space likely sidelined for Bills' playoff matchup vs. Jaguars

• Sean McDermott seems to take veiled shot at Bills' GM through comments on Jaguars' WR

• Buffalo Bills may dodge key Jacksonville Jaguars' starter in Wild-Card round