NFL Accuses Saints of Alleged Inaccuracy Injury Reporting in Game Against Bills, Posing Risks to Young Stars

Following their commanding 31-19 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 4, the Buffalo Bills have raised serious concerns about the transparency of pregame injury disclosures. The team has submitted a formal request to the NFL, accusing the Saints of violating injury reporting protocols by failing to accurately update the status of offensive lineman Dillon Radunz, which they claim endangered the safety of their young stars, particularly defensive players who engaged directly with Radunz in high-contact plays.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott stated: “Player safety must always be the top priority in every decision we make. The Saints’ failure to accurately report the status of Radunz’s toe injury—which had flared up since Week 3—put our young players in an unnecessarily dangerous position. We cannot tolerate such oversights, as they could lead to serious injuries and long-term impacts on their careers.”

According to the Bills, inconsistencies in the public reporting of Radunz’s injury directly impacted their tactical preparation—from personnel groupings and blitz structures to defensive assignments and in-game adjustments. They argue that last-minute changes, if not updated in accordance with established procedures, can create an unfair advantage and distort competitive outcomes. Radunz, listed as “did not practice” in the Week 4 report but unexpectedly taking the field, participated in aggressive blocking plays, forcing the Bills’ defense to adapt abruptly and increasing the risk of high-impact collisions for young players like edge rusher Von Miller (though uninjured) and backup linebackers.

Betting integrity was also highlighted. The Bills contend that a transparent wagering ecosystem relies on consistent, public injury information; any gaps can shift betting lines, influence behavior, and undermine the league’s credibility.

Procedurally, the Bills say they have submitted a formal request to the NFL, asking the league to review weeklong practice-participation logs, the pregame Game Status Report, the inactives list, and the information flow to broadcast and media partners. The club adds that it is prepared to cooperate fully, providing documentation and timelines to support the review.

The New Orleans Saints, through a spokesperson, maintain that the organization fully complied with the NFL’s injury-reporting policy, that all updates were timely and in the proper format, and declined to comment further pending any official action from the league.

Under current rules, the NFL requires teams to disclose injury information fully, accurately, and promptly to protect the integrity of competition. If violations are found, the league may impose penalties ranging from fines and personal discipline to competitive sanctions. The parties involved are expected to align timelines and standardize procedures to reinforce transparency, especially as the 2025 season sees increasing scrutiny over player safety.