With the Buffalo Bills leading the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-0 on Super Wild Card Weekend, the Bills were dealt another blow to their defense when starting cornerback Christian Benford had to be escorted to the locker room with a knee injury and was listed as questionable with a knee injury shortly after.
Benford landed on his left knee as he attempted to break up a Mason Rudolph pass late in the first quarter. After the play, the second-year cornerback who won the starting position opposite Tre’Davious White this summer, was replaced by fellow sophomore Kaiir Elam.
Benford has 38 solo tackles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery this season while Elam has spent most of the year inactive — although, in fairness, he did spend half the season on the Injured Reserve list.
Buffalo lost Tre’Davious White in Week 4 due to an Achilles injury but replaced him by stealing Rasul Douglas from the Green Bay Packers at the NFL’s trade deadline. However, Douglas was injured in Week 18 when the Bills beat the Miami Dolphins to secure their fourth straight AFC East title and the number two seed.
The loss of Benford and Douglas means that Buffalo will have to ride with Kaiir Elam and fourth-year corner Dane Jackson. They also have Cam Lewis — who can play at both safety and cornerback — on the active roster if needed.