Bills cornerback Christian Benford ruled out of AFC title game vs. Chiefs with a concussion
Bills cornerback Christian Benford ruled out of AFC title game vs. Chiefs with a concussion
Updated
Jan. 26, 2025 7:31 p.m. ET
share
facebook
x
reddit
link
Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford was ruled out of the AFC title game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night with a concussion.
Benford was carted from the field after a helmet-to-helmet hit with teammate Damar Hamlin while trying to make a tackle in the first quarter.
Benford, who spent the week in the concussion protocol before getting cleared in time for the game, was ruled out just moments after he was driven up the tunnel in the corner of Arrowhead Stadium.
Benford was chasing Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy near the Bills sideline when he clashed helmets with Hamlin, who wears a Guardian Cap on his own. Benford was shaky while standing up and tried to return to the field, but Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas stopped him in his tracks and made sure Buffalo trainers checked on him.
ADVERTISEMENT
The loss was a big one for Buffalo, which was counting on Benford to help cover the Chiefs' fleet of wide receivers. He made a nice play earlier in the game to break up a pass deep downfield intended for Marquise Brown.
The Bills already were thin in the secondary without safety Taylor Rapp, who was inactive with back and hip injuries. He would have played a significant role in covering Chiefs tight ends Travis Kelce and Noah Gray.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
4 minutes ago
- USA Today
Is Bills RB James Cook taking part in his team's minicamp?
Is Bills RB James Cook taking part in his team's minicamp? McDermott confirms that RB James Cook is in attendance and he will practice. Says he appreciates him being here. #Bills — Chris Brown (@ChrisBrownBills) June 10, 2025 The Buffalo Bills have their running back in town... for now. Pro Bowl rusher James Cook has not been in Orchard Park in recent weeks during his team's OTA spring practices. Those are voluntary and no player has to attend, but most do. Because of a current contract discussions with the Bills, Cook did not show up to those. However, minicamp is going on this week and that's different. Players have to show up or fines are sent their way... and Cook is in the building. According to head coach Sean McDermott, Cook is present at Buffalo's minicamp practices and will practice: Cook has wanted a new deal and has the running back has been vocal about that throughout this offseason. It has not yet come, but there was always an expectation from the team that when Cook was required to be in Orchard Park, including for games, he would do so. Both McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane said that at times during the spring and that has happened. It remains to be seen if Cook and the Bills strike a deal as his contract expires after the 2025 season. Bills Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2025 offseason.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Bills Offense Goes Back To Square 1 In Development
Bills Offense Goes Back To Square 1 In Development originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Bills have one of the best offensive units in the entire NFL The reigning MVP in Josh Allen is back, and he's got a collection of solid receivers, and a 1,000-yard runner (assuming James Cook eventually shows up), and a top-five offensive line are all part of the Bills' dominant offense. Advertisement As the team prepares for another year together - and a Super Bowl push that begins with this week's minicamp - the Bills have a difficult task. ... a hump to overcome. In short? It's easy for a talented offense to get stale after so many years together. It's why their play-caller, Joe Brady, will be under immense pressure this season. Brady has a plan to keep the offense from falling into that trap, though. And it starts with pushing the entire group back to Square One through offseason workouts. "I think a problem every coach faces every year is if you think you can just pick up where you left off, you lose sight of the details, you lose sight of the how, you lose sight of what got you to that point," Brady said. "There are elements of what we did last year that we obviously need to continue to sustain, but there are so many elements we've got to get better at." Advertisement Buffalo has always been one of the more efficiently explosive offensive units in the league over the last few years. They have gone toe-to-toe with the best ... and won more than their share. The Bills believe themselves to be Super Bowl contenders. Time will tell if that is the case in 2025. And going back to Square One is part of that plan. Related: 'Big Game Gabe' Davis Gets Visit As Bills Ex Seeks Contract With Saints Related: Bills' Rumored Target Released By Packers This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Bills Continue To Be Thrilled With MVP's Mindset
Bills Continue To Be Thrilled With MVP's Mindset originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It takes a special kind of quarterback to be a league MVP. ... Especially considering how talent-laded the position has become around the NFL. Advertisement That is what the Buffalo Bills have in Josh Allen, though. Special. The reigning MVP is coming off his best season and an appearance in the conference championship game. While he hasn't been able to get over the hump in the conference, he remains one of the elite players - at any position - in sports. A secret weapon for him to accomplish that? His leadership capabilities. Buffalo is talking up how thrilled all are with how Allen has carried himself and his mindset coming off an MVP. "What I love about Josh is his demeanor, his approach, his mindset is as impressive as it gets," Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady shared. "It's infectious around the team. When he walks into the building, you don't see a guy that or don't feel a guy that just won the MVP last year. Advertisement "You feel a guy that's hungry and is trying to figure out ways to get better and embracing his new teammates." Consistency and chemistry are two big components of building a Super Bowl-caliber roster. Buffalo believes it has both, with Allen leading the way on both counts. He remains a positive lightning rod for the Bills as a leader - all eyes are on him at all times - and has helped get once-mediocre players to perform over their heads at times. It's a big reason why Buffalo has won the last five division titles. A Super Bowl is all that remains, though. And it's something that the organization truly believes Allen will get to eventually. ... in part because of that special MVP mindset. Advertisement Related: 'Big Game Gabe' Davis Gets Visit As Bills Ex Seeks One-Year Contract With Saints Related: Bills' Rumored Target Released By Packers This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
