Christian Benford added to injury report Thursday as Bills prepare for Patriots
Christian Benford, the Bills' top cornerback, popped up on the team's injury report Thursday with a toe injury.
Stopping the New England Patriots' offense Sunday in Gillette Stadium if the Buffalo Bills' latest addition to the injury report is in jeopardy of missing the pivotal AFC East matchup.
Christian Benford, the Bills' top cornerback, popped up on the team's injury report Thursday with a toe injury. He wore a soft walking shoe around his left foot following practice, for which he was a limited participant, but he did not appear to have any issues walking.
Bills cornerback Christian Benford returned an interception 63 yards for a touchdown last Sunday in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
It would be a devastating blow for the Bills' defense if the injury impacts Benford's availability for Sunday. He's been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL over the past several weeks. The NFL named Benford as the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in Buffalo's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 30. Benford had a tackle for a loss and returned a fumble for a touchdown.
The fourth-year pro had another outstanding game last Sunday, when he sacked Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and returned an interception 63 yards for a touchdown to help the Bills complete a fourth-quarter comeback. Benford may not be the one covering the Patriots' top receiver, though.
Stefon Diggs has split his time between the perimeter and slot during his first season with the Patriots. In the two teams' first meeting, a victory for New England in Orchard Park, Diggs faced Tre'Davious White and Taron Johnson more often than Benford. Still, the Bills do not want to be missing Benford against an MVP-caliber quarterback like Maye. The cast was likely just a precaution, but it will be important to monitor the Bills' practice participation Friday.
Benford was the only surprise absence for the Bills, as tight end Dawson Knox returned to practice after missing Wednesday for personal reasons. Linebacker Terrel Bernard (elbow), edge rusher Joey Bosa (hamstring/wrist), right tackle Spencer Brown (shoulder) and wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) were limited for a second straight day. Mitch Trubisky, their backup quarterback, did not practice because of an illness.
Bosa wore a bulky cast around his left hand to protect his wrist, but he did not appear to be hampered by the hamstring injury that forced him to miss the game last Sunday.
Bernard, meanwhile, wore a bulky brace around his left elbow, which he hurt during the second half of a loss to the Houston Texans on Nov. 20. Brown told reporters Wednesday that he plans to return Sunday from a two-game absence, and Palmer is slowly making progress after encountering a setback in his recovery from an ankle issue that's kept him out a total of four games.