KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In a significant setback for the Buffalo Bills, cornerback Christian Benford has been declared unable to play in the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs due to a concussion.

Benford sustained the injury during the first quarter after colliding helmet-to-helmet with his teammate Damar Hamlin while attempting to tackle a player. After the impact, he was immediately carted off the field, raising concerns about his condition. Despite having been a part of the concussion protocol earlier in the week and managing to be cleared just before the game commenced, he was ultimately ruled out shortly after being escorted up the tunnel at Arrowhead Stadium.

During a play where he was pursuing Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy along the Bills’ sideline, Benford’s collision with Hamlin left him visibly shaken. He attempted to return to the action but was intercepted by fellow cornerback Rasul Douglas, who insisted that team trainers assess Benford’s condition before he could continue.

Benford’s absence poses a significant challenge for the Bills, as he was expected to play a crucial role in defending against Kansas City’s high-speed receiving corps. Earlier in the game, he had already demonstrated his skill by successfully breaking up a deep pass aimed at receiver Marquise Brown.

The Bills’ secondary was already compromised, given that safety Taylor Rapp was unavailable due to ongoing back and hip injuries. Rapp’s presence would have been vital in managing tight ends Travis Kelce and Noah Gray, further emphasizing the impact of Benford’s injury on the team’s defensive strategy.