Maxwell Hairston Injury Update
Buffalo Bills first-round cornerback Maxwell Hairston is currently being evaluated for a concussion after going down in the third quarter of Sunday's Week 12 matchup against the Houston Texans. The speedy Kentucky product, drafted 30th overall in 2025, hit the turf hard late in the first half and was seen in visible pain before trainers rushed to his side. Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) shared on X that Maxwell Hairston is being evaluated for a concussion.
Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) shared on X that Maxwell Hairston is now hurt, calling the situation "legitimately absurd."
He limped off under his own power at first but headed to the blue medical tent, then straight to the locker room for further checks. No word yet on the severity, but early reports suggest it's a head injury rather than a lower-body issue potentially good news given his rocky rookie year so far.
Flash back to training camp: Hairston suffered an LCL knee sprain on July 29 in what coach Sean McDermott called a "freak trip-up" during drills. Tests ruled out an ACL tear, a huge relief, but it sidelined him for the preseason and landed him on short-term IR by late August, forcing him to miss the first four games.
By mid-August, he was off crutches and flashing that trademark grin on the sideline, jogging lightly during warmups. Bills fans held their breath, but he ramped up steadily, returning to practice by early October and snagging his first start in Week 5 against the Jets, where his 4.28 speed shut down passes like a lockdown boss.
It's a gut punch, especially with Buffalo's secondary already thin after Tre'Davious White's nagging lower-leg woes. If it's just a protocol-mandated rest, Hairston could bounce back quickly; concussions vary wildly, though, and the Bills play it ultra-safe post their 2023 scare with Damar Hamlin. In the meantime, backups like Dane Jackson and Ja'Marcus Ingram stepped up, holding Houston to 17 points through three quarters.
Hairston's been a revelation when healthy: 2 INTs and 15 tackles through 11 games, anchoring opposite Christian Benford. Bills Mafia, stay patient this kid's got shutdown potential that could define their playoff push. Fingers crossed for a helmet-slap return next week.
Disclaimer:
All injury updates and player status details for Maxwell Hairston are sourced from official team reports and trusted media as of November 2025. Recovery timelines and medical findings may change as new information emerges. For the most accurate updates, consult the Buffalo Bills’ official channels and NFL injury reports.
