Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford cleared the NFL concussion protocol to play in the AFC Championship Game.

He suffered a second concussion in a week on the second defensive possession.

Benford was hurt on a helmet-to-helmet collision with a secondary teammate, safety Damar Hamlin, while making a tackle in the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Benford was fighting off a block from wide receiver Justin Watson to make a tackle on wide receiver Xavier Worthy. Benford reached out his left arm, dropped his left shoulder and his helmet collided perpendicularly into Hamlin’s helmet. Hamlin, who was wearing a Guardian Cap designed as a safety measure to limit the impact to his head, was coming from Worthy’s other side for a hit. Benford fell backward and landed on his stomach.

He initially got to his feet and attempted to walk back onto the field but was stopped by cornerback Rasul Douglas and was tended to by athletic trainers.

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Benford was carted off the field almost immediately ruled out for the game with a concussion.

Benford suffered a concussion in the Bills’ 27-25 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round. His injury wasn’t disclosed until the next day, when Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott said Benford experienced concussion symptoms after the game.

Benford’s first concussion came on an onside kick that was the final special teams snap of the game with 1 minute, 33 seconds remaining against the Ravens. Buffalo’s defense did not take the field after that.

Benford was listed as questionable for the game but got the start. He did not fully practice all week prior to the game. Benford was a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday and wore a red non-contact jersey and Guardian Cap. Benford did not practice Friday due to a “personal reason.”

Benford was listed as questionable for the game but was active and got the start.

Running back Ray Davis suffered a concussion in the Bills’ wild-card dismantling of the Denver Broncos. He was a limited participant at practice three days later, cleared the concussion protocol and returned the next game in the divisional round, scoring a rushing touchdown in the victory.