The Buffalo Bills are ready to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday for the AFC title and a Super Bowl spot. The roster that will be available for the game was defined on Saturday, with two moves.
The Bills have elevated safety Kareem Jackson and center Will Clapp from the practice squad for gameday. The moves give them some type of flexibility, especially for the defensive backfield.
Safety Taylor Rapp has been ruled out with back and hip injuries, and cornerback Christian Benford is questionable to play with a concussion and a personal matter. He was limited on Wednesday and Thursday, but did not practice on Friday.
Elevations
Throughout the regular season, teams can elevate two players per game from the practice squad for gameday. Each player can be elevated up to three times per season.
However, the count does not apply in the playoffs. Teams are still limited to two elevations per game, but individual players have no limit of elevations.
Kareem Jackson is a veteran safety who has played most of his NFL career with the Houston Texans. He has appeared in two games for the Bills this season, against the Detroit Lions and New England Patriots in Weeks 15 and 16, playing 32 defensive snaps and 27 special teams snaps.
Will Clapp is a veteran offensive lineman who’s played for the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers. In Week 18, he started for the Bills and played 100% of the offensive snaps against the Patriots, when the team rested starters. He also played three special teams snaps. Last week, he played five special teams snaps in the win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Problem
Off-ball linebacker Baylon Spector had been designated to return from injured reserve, but he is not ready yet. He was listed as questionable to play with his calf injury, however the Bills ultimately ruled him out a day ahead of the game. He was a full participant at practice the entire week, but the Bills did not activate him.
If the Bills win, he would have a realistic shot at playing in the Super Bowl.
Without Spector, the Bills’ options at off-ball linebacker are Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, Joe Andreessen, and Edefuan Ulososhio.