The Buffalo Payments defeated the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs with out three offensive starters within the common season. The unit that led the AFC in scoring ought to be at full well being for the AFC Championship Recreation.
No. 2 seed Buffalo travels to No. 1 Kansas Metropolis at 6:30 p.m. Sunday for the convention title.
Buffalo’s offense is at full bore however two Payments defenders are injured, head coach Sean McDermott stated throughout his media availability Monday.
Security Taylor Rapp is day-to-day with a hip damage and cornerback Christian Benford is within the NFL concussion protocol.
Rapp was carted to the locker room with a hip damage within the second quarter of the Payments’ 27-25 divisional spherical victory over the Baltimore Ravens and didn’t return.
Benford performed 58 of 59 defensive snaps in opposition to Baltimore. He skilled concussion signs after the sport.
Kansas Metropolis has 10 gamers on injured reserve or non-football damage lists. The Chiefs opened Mecole Hardman’s 21-day follow window Jan. 1 however has not been added to the energetic roster.
NFL groups must submit a report on follow participation on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for a Sunday sport. There are three ranges of follow participation that may be designated: didn’t take part, restricted participation and full participation.
A sport standing report is due by 5 p.m. Friday for Sunday video games.
Right here is the Payments vs. Chiefs damage report for the playoffs:
Buffalo Payments damage replace for playoffs
Christian Benford, CB, concussion
Christian Benford suffered a head damage on an onside kick that was the ultimate particular groups snap of the sport with 1 minute, 33 seconds remaining in opposition to the Ravens. Buffalo’s protection didn’t take the sphere after that.
He is within the league’s concussion protocol.
Benford developed concussion signs after the sport, Payments head coach Sean McDermott stated Monday.
Taylor Rapp, S, hip
Taylor Rapp suffered a hip damage within the divisional spherical win in opposition to the Ravens.
He’s thought of day-to-day and Buffalo will “see how that goes all through the week,” Payments head coach Sean McDermott stated Monday.
Rapp lowered his proper shoulder as three different Payments defenders have been falling to the bottom tackling Lamar Jackson. It appeared Rapp’s proper hip and knee have been sandwiched between Jackson and security Damar Hamlin.
Rapp limped into the blue medical tent earlier than a cart was delivered to the sideline to switch him to the locker room.
Rookie Cole Bishop changed Rapp at security in opposition to Baltimore.
Buffalo won’t elevate veteran Micah Hyde from the follow squad if Rapp is out Sunday.
“There isn’t any probability (Hyde) goes to swimsuit up,” McDermott stated.
Brandon Codrington, RET/CB, hamstring
Brandon Codrington didn’t play in both of the Payments’ playoff video games after struggling a hamstring damage within the Week 18 loss to the Patriots.
He was a full follow participant main as much as the divisional spherical sport in opposition to Baltimore however was inactive as a wholesome scratch. Khalil Shakir would’ve dealt with punt return duties however the Ravens didn’t punt.
Payments head coach Sean McDermott stated Codrington is wholesome but it surely was a personnel determination for the undrafted rookie to be inactive.
“As we acquired to later within the week it was fairly clear that (Codrington) was in a fairly great spot to go,” McDermott stated Monday. “Only a numbers determination in addition to (enjoying a) veteran participant. It additionally, a minimum of final week, gave us one other probability to get one other core participant up in one other place.”
McDermott stated he will not know till later within the week if Codrington will play in opposition to the Chiefs.
Injured reserve
The next Payments gamers are on injured reserve:
- Travis Clayton, OT, shoulder
- Shane Buechele, QB, neck
- Tommy Doyle, OT, knee
- Baylon Spector, LB
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs damage replace for playoffs
Bryan Prepare dinner, S, head
Bryan Prepare dinner suffered a head damage late within the first quarter of the divisional spherical win in opposition to the Houston Texans.
He was evaluated for a concussion and returned with 4:36 remaining within the second quarter.
Mecole Hardman, WR, knee
Mecole Hardman has been on injured reserve since Dec. 7 after struggling a knee damage in follow. Kansas Metropolis opened his 21-day follow window on Jan. 1. The Chiefs may have till Wednesday to resolve if they’re going to activate Hadman to their roster or if he’ll be out for the rest of the postseason.
He was a restricted participant in Kansas Metropolis’s practices main as much as the divisional spherical.
“I have not made any selections on (Hardman) but,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid stated Monday. “However he is labored exhausting to attempt to get himself again and get going. However we’ll see how all that, how that works out.”
Hardman, who caught the game-winning landing in additional time of Tremendous Bowl 58, was Kansas Metropolis’s main punt returner earlier than he was injured.
Jaylen Watson, CB, ankle
Jaylen Watson returned for the divisional spherical victory in opposition to Houston after lacking almost three months with a damaged ankle.
Watson suffered the damage in a Week 7 win over San Francisco and was positioned on injured reserve Oct. 22.
He missed the remainder of the common season and labored his manner again for the playoffs. Watson performed 40 defensive snaps in his first sport again.
Injured reserve
The next Chiefs gamers are on injured reserve:
- Jack Cochrane, LB
- Jody Fortson, TE
- Mecole Hardman, WR
- McKade Mettauer, G
- Skyy Moore, WR
- Rashee Rice, WR
- Spencer Shrader, Okay
- Marlon Tuipulotu, DT
- Jared Wiley, TE
Reserve/Non-football sickness
Ryan Miller will be reached at rcmiller@gannett.com.