ORCHARD PARK – A season-long trend, one in which the Buffalo Bills had been given a reprieve from in the last few weeks, has returned at quite an inopportune time: Injuries on the defensive side of the ball.
Coach Sean McDermott provided a health update Wednesday before heading out for the Bills’ first practice in preparation for Sunday’s AFC Championship Game in Kansas City, and while nothing is set in stone, it’s a bit worrisome.
The team’s best cornerback, Christian Benford, remains in concussion protocol; perhaps its best linebacker, Matt Milano, is battling hamstring soreness; and its best safety, Taylor Rapp, has a hip injury.
However, there was good news on Thursday as both Benford and Milano were on the field.
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Taylor Rapp injury
All three injuries were incurred in the divisional round playoff victory over Baltimore. Rapp left the game in the second quarter, carted off the field, and while x-rays on his hip were negative, McDermott said he won’t practice Wednesday and will be a day-to-day evaluation. On Thursday, he was the only player who did not participate in any fashion, so that’s an ominous sign for the game. If Rapp can’t play, rookie Cole Bishop would get the call.
Christian Benford injury
Benford got hurt on the onside kickoff and while in the NFL’s protocol, he can’t practice until he clears all five stages. Thursday, he was practicing on a limited basis in a red non-contact jersey and wearing a protection guardian cap on his helmet. The fact that Benford was already on the field is a sign that he has made very good progress in the protocol and seems on track to play.
Matt Milano injury
And Milano left the game on the final defensive series and did not return. He was limited in practice Wednesday, but was on the field Thursday and moving well. Specifically on Milano, McDermott said, “There was some soreness afterwards but I don’t know if it’s an injury or not, it’s just what I’m being told is a hamstring soreness.”
What Bills coach Sean McDermott said at press conference
Here are a few things McDermott addressed during his media session:
He was asked about comparing this championship game to the one in 2020 at Arrowhead Stadium when only 17,000 fans were allowed through the gates because of the pandemic:
“Yeah, what a change of just what’s going on in our world with the COVID situation at that time. And I think there were some fans allowed in the stadium, if I remember correctly. And we had some Buffalo representation there as well, even though I think it was limited capacity or limited seating. So this one will be a little bit different, right, just from a crowd standpoint, and I’m sure we’ll have a great number of Buffalo people there as well.”
As for what it means to have Bills fans travel to Kansas City, and other venues:
“Having our own fans there? Oh, it’s huge,” McDermott said. “Our fans travel everywhere and anywhere that we play. So we’ve got the best fans in the NFL and just love … I think that the connection with our fan base, as I’ve said multiple times over, is unique in the NFL.”
The Bills’ eight turnovers this season are a league-low, and their turnover rate on a per play basis is the lowest in the NFL in 25 years so McDermott was asked about how hard his staff coaches that:
“Well, it’s something that we try and do every week on all three sides of the ball. Never taking it for granted, I think, is the key for us. We’re somewhat old-fashioned in the way that we approach practice, perhaps, focusing in on the fundamentals. That’s really what I think is one of the big stepping stones to playing at a high level is the fundamental approach to the game.”
The Bills have evolved since their last appearance in the AFC title game, and McDermott was asked if the Chiefs have as well:
“I think that that’s probably not as appreciated as it should be, how one team is able to sustain success in such a highly competitive year-to-year, week-to-week league like the NFL. And that is a great example of continuing to evolve over time, trying to stay out in front of trends, roster-wise, scheme-wise, coaching-wise. And so that’s always what we’re trying to do and I think that’s helped us as well. Continue to drive every year of what can we do better, and where’s the league going, and how can we continue to stay out in front?”
Sal Maiorana has covered the Buffalo Bills for four decades including 35 years as the full-time beat writer for the D&C, and he has written numerous books about the history of the team. He can be reached at maiorana@gannett.com, and you can follow him on X @salmaiorana and on Bluesky @salmaiorana.bsky.social. Sign up for his Bills Blast newsletter here: https://profile.democratandchronicle.com/newsletters/bills-blast
Taylor Rapp, Matt Milano, Benford Update: Injury Reports and Recovery Timelines
As the NFL season progresses, it’s important for fans to stay updated on the status of key players on their favorite teams. In this post, we’ll be providing an update on the injuries and recovery timelines of Taylor Rapp, Matt Milano, and Benford.
Taylor Rapp, safety for the Los Angeles Rams, suffered a knee injury in Week 2 of the season and has been sidelined ever since. The team has been cautious with his recovery, but Rapp is making progress and is expected to return to practice soon. While there is no definitive timeline for his return to game action, the Rams are hopeful that he will be back on the field in the near future.
Matt Milano, linebacker for the Buffalo Bills, has been dealing with a hamstring injury that has kept him out of the lineup for the past few weeks. The team has been monitoring his progress closely and Milano has been participating in limited practices. While he is still considered day-to-day, there is optimism that Milano will be able to return to action in the coming weeks.
Benford, a rookie wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, suffered a foot injury in training camp that has kept him out of action so far this season. The team has been patient with his recovery and Benford has been working hard to get back on the field. While there is no set timeline for his return, the Seahawks are hopeful that Benford will be able to make his NFL debut at some point this season.
As fans, we all hope for a speedy and full recovery for these players so they can get back to doing what they love on the football field. Stay tuned for more updates on Taylor Rapp, Matt Milano, Benford, and other key players as the season progresses.
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