The Buffalo Bills defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31–17 on Monday to go through the AFC Wild Card round, but they weren’t without a setback.
During the game, a number of important players were hurt, including cornerback Taron Johnson, who was their only pick to the All-Pro team this season. Punter Sam Martin, linebacker Baylon Spector, and cornerback Christian Benford are among the other players with injuries. The most prominent illness affecting the entire squad was that of standout linebacker Terrel Bernard, who had to be carted off with an ankle injury.
A few Bills players, including safety Taylor Rapp and receiver Gabe Davis, were also forced to miss the whole game due to injury. Johnson, 27, exited the game with what seemed to be a head injury late in the second half. Bills coach Sean McDermott said on Tuesday that Johnson, along with all the other players who were classified with injuries, is “day-to-day” and is under the league’s concussion protocol.
McDermott stated that they are taking Bernard in particular “one day at a time” since the results of the X-rays on his ankle were negative. Related: Positive Injury News for the Bills on LB Earth In order to participate in Sunday’s Divisional Round matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, Bernard Johnson will now need to clear the concussion protocol. He had two tackles and a forced fumble against the Steelers before he was dismissed from the game. Johnson, a former fourth-round selection, recently finished his greatest regular season to date. The sixth-year corner was named to the second team All-Pro after making 98 total tackles, eight passes defended, and three forced fumbles. On Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET, the Bills and Chiefs will kick off from Highmark Stadium.
