The Buffalo Bills are preparing for the next chapter in their rivalry with the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Unlike matchups in previous seasons, this one is going to be held at Orchard Park, giving the Bills homefield advantage.
It is the first time in the career of Patrick Mahomes that he and the Chiefs will be playing a road game in the postseason that isn’t the Super Bowl. It will be interesting to see how they react to not having the fans at Arrowhead behind them, but they could have an edge when it comes to the injury report.
The Bills are going to be without key contributors in every facet of the game Sunday against the Chiefs. Head coach Sean McDermott has announced four players out, each playing a key role on offense, defense or special teams.
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Gabe Davis, Taylor Rapp, Buffalo Bills Updates
Wide receiver Gabe Davis and cornerback Christian Benford are both out with knee injuries. Safety Taylor Rapp is dealing with a calf ailment and linebacker Braylon Spector has a back injury.
This will be the second straight game Davis and Rapp miss because of their injuries. Benford and Spector both suffered their injuries in the team’s Super Wild Card Weekend matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a 34-17 victory, on Monday afternoon.
While those players have been announced out, the Bills have other injury woes to sort through. Linebacker Terrel Bernard has yet to practice this week and is trending in the wrong direction. Punter Sam Martin injured his hamstring against the Steelers and nickel cornerback Taron Johnson is in the league’s concussion protocols.
Star wide receiver Stefon Diggs didn’t participate in practice on Thursday because of a foot injury and a designated veteran rest day. But, he was listed as a full participant in the team’s walk-through on Wednesday.
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Gabe Davis, Taylor Rapp, Buffalo Bills Updates
With their game against the Steelers being pushed to Monday, the Bills are at a distinct rest disadvantage against the Chiefs, who played on Saturday last weekend. But, the team did receive a little good news about two key defenders.
Cornerback Rasul Douglas, who has been dealing with a knee injury, and linebacker Tyrel Dodson, who is battling a shoulder ailment, are both trending toward playing on Sunday. They both missed the victory over the Steelers.
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