Bills suffer major defensive setback ahead of AFC Championship clash with Chiefs

Defensive injuries are the last thing the Buffalo Bills want to deal with just days before the AFC Championship Game. Bills head coach Sean McDermott may have to prepare to be without three players when they face the reigning Super Bowl champions on Sunday.

Safety Taylor Rapp didn't partake in practice on Wednesday because of a sore hip and is listed as day-to-day. Cornerback Christian Benford, who led the team in passes defended in the regular season (10), is in concussion protocol and has been limited at practice this week. Linebacker Matt Milano was limited at practice with hamstring tightness.

All three of them have played their part in getting the Bills to within one win of a Super Bowl appearance, with Rapp making an interception last week against the Baltimore Ravens. Benford is third on the team in solo playoff tackles (six), and Milano has four total tackles and a sack in the postseason.

Takeaways have been particularly key during the Bills' playoff run this season, as they are third in the NFL for turnover differential at +3.

In the regular season, Benford had a career-high 50 solo tackles, with two forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions in 15 games. In 14 games, Rapp greatly improved from his 2023 campaign in Buffalo, registering a forced fumble and two picks, plus 48 solo tackles, 15 more than a season ago. He didn't finish the game against Baltimore because of his injury.

For Milano, it’s another setback in a difficult season. He played in four regular-season contests and made 16 tackles, one for a loss. Milano suffered a torn bicep at practice last August and was only activated to the roster in late November.

Sean McDermott discussed the Bills' approach to the AFC Championship clash

Sean McDermott addressed the media on Wednesday and said the team must treat this encounter just like another game. When asked how difficult it'd be knowing a victory this weekend comes with a trip to the Super Bowl, McDermott said:

"When you know who you are, when you know what works for us, it's a lot easier. If you have to adjust things this time of year, then it gets more difficult perhaps. We've been taking the same approach rather consistently all season."

On Wednesday, the Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau took part in full practice despite a sore finger.

When they faced the Chiefs last November, Buffalo's defense held them to just 259 total yards while forcing Patrick Mahomes into two interceptions in a 30-21 win.