The Buffalo Bills need all hands on deck against the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs with a trip to the conference title game against the Baltimore Ravens on the line.
Buffalo suffered a few injuries and ailments in their wild-card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers a week ago, but one starter could suit up against the Chiefs at home this weekend.
Cornerback Taron Johnson, who made the second-team All-Pro roster this year, cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol ahead of tonight’s game against the Chiefs and is “trending toward” playing, according to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.
Bills all-pro nickel cornerback Taron Johnson has cleared concussion protocol & he’s trending toward playing tonight vs. Chiefs, per source. Big boost for Buffalo D.
Bills LB Terrel Bernard (ankle) not expected to play but they may give him a shot to workout today, per source.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) January 21, 2024
He suffered a concussion against the Steelers a week ago, and his availability would be a huge boost to a Bills defense that will face Patrick Mahomes.
Despite the Chiefs’ floundering offense, Mahomes is always a threat to go crazy in any game and set his wideouts up for success.
Kansas City doesn’t have nearly as much offensive firepower as in years past, though, and Johnson’s presence could make Mahomes’ life even more difficult with a worse collection of skill position players.
Tight end Travis Kelce remains the biggest obstacle for Buffalo to contend with.
The Bills defense has looked much improved over recently where they haven’t allowed more than 22 points in any of Buffalo’s six consecutive wins to end the year.
Johnson has been a big part of that and, if he plays, will remain a huge part of the defensive game plan in the Bills’ biggest game of the season thus far.
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