New York’s Orchard Park Coach Sean McDermott announced on Monday that Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford suffered a head injury on the Baltimore Ravens’ onside kick attempt on his last play in Sunday’s Divisional round game.
Kristian Welch, a linebacker for the Ravens, attempted to go through a Benford block and struck the Bills defensive back head-on.
Benford’s fate for this Sunday’s AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs is uncertain because he is in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Benford would be out of commission in a playoff game against Kansas City for the second consecutive season if he is unable to play this weekend.
This season, the Bills have depended on Benford’s exceptional coverage skills. In the regular season, Benford gave up 51 yards per coverage snap, according to Pro Football Focus. Among all NFL cornerbacks, that figure came in third place.
Third-year cornerback Kaiir Elam, whom the Bills selected in the first round of the 2022 draft, might be the next in line if Benford is unable to play. Buffalo’s best boundary cornerbacks are starter Benford and veteran Rasul Douglas; therefore, Elam has had difficulty securing a regular spot on the squad. Elam has missed five of the last eight games for the Bills. In Weeks 14 and 15, he filled in for an injured Douglas, but the following week he returned to inactivity.
Like all of his players, Elam is someone who Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich believes in. If Benford is unable to play, it will be the first-year DC’s responsibility to get Elam or whoever steps in ready to play.
It is a chance for another person. You’ve probably heard that a lot here: “The standard is the standard,” Babich remarked. “You had better have the players prepared.”
Taylor Rapp, the starting safety for the Bills, had to be carried back to the locker room after suffering a hip injury during Sunday’s game. According to McDermott, he’s regarded as daily. Cole Bishop, a rookie, took his place after he left the game.
If Rapp is unable to play this weekend, McDermott was asked if Buffalo’s practice squad’s experienced safety, Micah Hyde, could be able to take his place. Hyde won’t play against the Chiefs, according to McDonald. Due to a shoulder injury, Bills cornerback Taron Johnson had to leave the game for a short while but came back to finish. McDermott reported that although he was a touch sore Monday, he recovered well from the game.