Taron

Johnson

Johnson promisingly practiced in full on Friday after being downgraded to a limited participant on Thursday. The top-tier slot cornerback is good to go, which is good news for a Bills secondary that will be without S Taylor Rapp (back/hip). Its No. 1 perimeter cornerback Christian Benford (concussion) is listed as questionable after failing to progress through the NFL’s concussion protocol. He was limited on both Wednesday and Thursday before being downgraded to a non-participant on Friday. The Bills will likely have just 3-of-5 secondary starters active on Sunday.

Johnson suffered the injury in question against the Ravens last weekend, landing hard with his arm outstretched before sliding multiple feet across the snowy field. He still has a few days to get right but the Bills obviously would prefer to have their stud slot cornerback at full health with a game against the Chiefs on tap. Both safety Taylor Rapp (hip/back) and perimeter cornerback Christian Benford (concussion) are ailing as well.

Johnson fell to the ground and slid multiple yards across the snowy field after trailing Isaiah Likely in coverage. Johnson was already grabbing at his shoulder before he came to a stop. The Bills’ star cornerback was able to return after being examined by the team’s medical staff.

Johnson remained down on the ground, lying on his stomach after a collision. Although he was able to return to his feet, NFL staffers in a booth reportedly called down to the field and requested Johnson be removed from the field and screened for a concussion. The Bills entered Week 16 with three starting defensive backs sidelined. Update: Johnson returned after being screened for a concussion.

Bills LB Terrel Bernard (pectoral) also returned in a limited capacity. Both players have been sidelined with multi-week injuries. Their potential return in Week 5 would bode positively for the Bills’ interior defense; Johnson is the team’s primary slot cornerback.

NO real surprises here as Bernard was ruled out on Friday with a pectoral strain suffered in the team’s Week 2 game against the Dolphins. Josh Allen an company will be mostly healthy as they take on the run-heavy Ravens on Sunday Night Football.

Bernard returned to practice on Thursday but hasn’t had enough time to recover from the pec strain he suffered in Week 2 against the Dolphins. The Bills won’t risk him in Week 4 against the Ravens, but it’s possible a return in Week 5 could be in the works. In addition to Bernard, the Bills also ruled out CB Taron Johnson, who hasn’t practice all week due to a forearm injury.

Johnson will miss his second consecutive game after being injured early in the team’s opening contest, which has resulted in Cam Lewis stepping into a near every-down role at nickel corner for the Bills over the previous two weeks. Expect more of the same in Week 3.

Kirk appeared set to dominate short-area targets with TE Evan Engram (hamstring) a last-second scratch but the Week 2 showing resulted in a worst-case scenario. Kirk even had a touchdown overturned due to a penalty. Kirk is a Week 3 flex option against a Bills secondary that is expected to be without slot cornerback Taron Johnson (forearm).

It’s a quiet list for the Bills, who thankfully lost their Week 2 injury drama when Josh Allen was proclaimed good to go on Monday. Johnson’s absence could definitely be felt in Miami, however.