Christian

Benford

Cornerbacks Taron Johnson (groin) and Christian Benford (groin) will also be questionable after being limited in back-to-back practices to close out the week. Jones was also limited on Thursday and Friday after being a DNP on Wednesday, and appears to have a chance to play after missing last week’s game. With DE A.J. Epenesa (concussion) and LB Shaq Thompson (hamstring) already ruled out for Sunday’s game, the Bills will hopefully get some good news on Jones and Johnson when inactives are announced before kickoff.

This is unfortunate. Last week, Bills slot CB Taron Johnson was sidelined by a groin injury of his own. Benford nursed a groin injury earlier this season, but has not missed any games. Bills EDGE Joey Bosa is playing through a wrist issue and is visibly bothered by it in-game. He should be on the field in Week 10, unless he is downgraded tomorrow, though. The Bills face the Dolphins this weekend. Bills DT DaQuan Jones (calf) also resumed practicing today.

He practiced in full on Thursday and Friday and should be good to go against the Ravens on Sunday. Tre’Davious White (groin) was not so fortunate, being listed as doubtful after three straight DNPs. Benford is a good starter, but the Bills CB2 spot threatens to be an exploitable fantasy matchup in the early season with White unable to stay on the field.

The news puts Benford, the Bills’ No. 1 CB, on track to play in Week 1 against the Ravens. Fill-in No. 2 CB Tre’Davious White (groin) remains sidelined. The Bills’ first-round rookie CB Maxwell Hairston (knee) is eligible to return from injured reserve after four games. Stud slot CB Taron Johnson could kick outside in base formations, but the Ravens could go big-play hunting by keeping three WRs on the field while targeting the Bills’ chosen perimeter backup coverage defender.

Bills CB Tre’Davious White was limited by a groin strain as well. That makes both of the Bills’ starting perimeter cornerbacks who are now questionable to play in Week 1 against the Ravens. Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman could have fruitful outings if neither coverage defender can go.

White reportedly hopped on one leg, over to Bills’ trainers, before being carted to the locker room. No word on the injury’s specifics yet. Fellow CB Christian Benford exited practice early as well, though he later said he is okay and “just needed some rest.”

A sixth-round pick from Villanova in the 2022 NFL Draft, Benford finished last season with an 82.6 overall PPF grade (fifth among CBs). The 24-year-old cornerback played like a top-five player at the position and now he’ll be paid like one on a deal that will keep him in Buffalo through the 2029 season. Benford’s deal comes after extensions for EDGE Greg Rousseau, LB Terrel Bernard and WR Khalil Shakir as the Bills continue to lock up their core players this offseason.

Benford, active off the questionable line despite a brain injury, was hit in the helmet by a Bills defender right after Tony Romo explained how important it was that Benford was playing. He was carted off in the front seat of a golf cart after looking woozy. It was commendable for him to try to play in this game for his team, but it was tough to watch this happen. Kaair Elam replaced Benford at cornerback.

It’s very good news for the Bills’ perpetually banged up secondary and defense. Inactive for the Bills are QB Mike White, CB Brandon Codrington DL Quinton Jefferson, OT Ryan Van Demark, DT DeWayne Carter, S Taylor Rapp and OL Sedrick Van Pran-Granger.

The Bills’ secondary is in rough shape. S Taylor Rapp (back/hip) has already been ruled out and Benford’s worsening practice participation following last week’s concussion bodes poorly for his availability. Benford still has a chance to pass the NFL concussion protocol’s five phases but it appears as though he may be backsliding. Benford is one of the NFL’s best perimeter cornerbacks. He effectively dissuades quarterbacks from targeting his coverage and efficiently breaks up would-be completions.