The Buffalo Bills had several key players return from injury over the final weeks of the season, sending them into the playoffs at their best health of the season.

But with a trip to Kansas City ahead and a Super Bowl berth on the line, the Bills’ luck might be turning.

The team is in danger of losing the top member of their secondary after a very late injury during Sunday’s 27-25 win over the Baltimore Ravens. The loss could force the Bills to turn to a seldom-used replacement while they face one of the league’s best passers in Patrick Mahomes.

Bills Catch Bad Luck Late in Divisional Round

Bills head coach Sean McDermott told reporters on Monday that top cornerback Christian Benford was placed into concussion protocol after being hurt on one of the final plays of the game. As News 8 reporter A.J. Feldman noted in a post on X, Benford took a hard hit when the Bills recovered a late onside kick after the Ravens failed to get a game-tying two-point conversion.

“Bills cornerback Christian Benford was placed in the concussion protocol because of this hit he took on the onside kick,” Feldman wrote. “Took a pretty good shot to the head area. Certainly celebrating less than some of his teammates afterward.”

Benford joined the Bills as a sixth-round pick in 2022, quickly working his way into a starting role and turning in a career-best season in 2024. Benford made 64 total tackles with two interceptions and 1.0 sacks this season, earning an All-Pro vote.