Taron

Johnson

Bills LB Terrel Bernard (pectoral) also returned in a limited capacity. Both players have been sidelined with multi-week injuries. Their potential return in Week 5 would bode positively for the Bills’ interior defense; Johnson is the team’s primary slot cornerback.

NO real surprises here as Bernard was ruled out on Friday with a pectoral strain suffered in the team’s Week 2 game against the Dolphins. Josh Allen an company will be mostly healthy as they take on the run-heavy Ravens on Sunday Night Football.

Bernard returned to practice on Thursday but hasn’t had enough time to recover from the pec strain he suffered in Week 2 against the Dolphins. The Bills won’t risk him in Week 4 against the Ravens, but it’s possible a return in Week 5 could be in the works. In addition to Bernard, the Bills also ruled out CB Taron Johnson, who hasn’t practice all week due to a forearm injury.

Johnson will miss his second consecutive game after being injured early in the team’s opening contest, which has resulted in Cam Lewis stepping into a near every-down role at nickel corner for the Bills over the previous two weeks. Expect more of the same in Week 3.

Kirk appeared set to dominate short-area targets with TE Evan Engram (hamstring) a last-second scratch but the Week 2 showing resulted in a worst-case scenario. Kirk even had a touchdown overturned due to a penalty. Kirk is a Week 3 flex option against a Bills secondary that is expected to be without slot cornerback Taron Johnson (forearm).

It’s a quiet list for the Bills, who thankfully lost their Week 2 injury drama when Josh Allen was proclaimed good to go on Monday. Johnson’s absence could definitely be felt in Miami, however.

The Bills’ defense suddenly finds itself in a state of disarray after losing Matt Milano and Taron Johnson within the span of a week. This is in addition to the offseason departures of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. That’s a tough hand to be dealt with the Dolphins on tap in Week 2.

It’s a brutal blow for a Bills defense that is without Matt Milano and is also trying to break in two new starting safeties with Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer gone. In the first half, the Cardinals attacked the Bills defense with passes to their running backs and tight ends. That could continue with Johnson out.

Johnson was injured when he collided with teammate Taylor Rapp while making a tackle on the first drive of the game. He was able to jog into the locker room and Cam Lewis replaced him in the game. With Matt Milano already out for most of the season, the Bills can’t afford to lose Johnson, who is one of the best slot cornerbacks in the NFL.

Johnson is now the NFL’s highest-paid nickel back, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Now under contract through the 2027 season, Johnson, who was named as a Second-team All-Pro last season, will be one of the more veteran players in a Bills secondary that recently released safety Jordan Poyer and cornerback Tre’Davious White and appears unlikely to re-sign safety Micah Hyde. Johnson received a PFF coverage grade of 81.7 for his efforts last season and allowed 60 receptions for 480 yards and three touchdowns while breaking up four passes.