Bills defensive end Michael Hoecht suffered a torn Achilles in Sunday’s win vs. the Chiefs, head coach Sean McDermott announced after the game (via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport).
Hoecht, 28, arrived in Buffalo on a three-year, $21MM deal this offseason. He was suspended for the first six games of the season for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy, though the Bills were aware of the infraction before finalizing his contract. He was reinstated during the Bills’ Week 7 bye and made a splashy debut in Week 8 against the Panthers. After Buffalo’s defensive line lost Ed Oliver in the first half, Hoecht took over a larger snap share and logged 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble that the Bills offense converted into a touchdown.
The five-year veteran chipped in another 0.5 sacks before he left Buffalo’s Week 9 victory over Kansas City. He will now miss the rest of the season, certainly a disappointing result after serving his suspension.
The Bills’ defensive line depth will be tested without Hoecht and Oliver, the latter of whom is out for the rest of the regular season with a biceps tear. However, Buffalo’s pass rush has been solid this year with 11 different defenders logging at least one sack. More injuries could spread the group even thinner, but they seem to have enough talent to keep pressuring opposing quarterbacks at a solid rate. Defensive ends Greg Rousseau, Joey Bosa, and A.J. Epenesa have all turned in solid performances thus far, as has defensive tackle DaQuan Jones.
Hoecht will spend the better part of the next year recovering with the hopes of returning for the start of the 2026 season.