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2023 Divisional Round Injury Report: Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs

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The AFC East Champion Buffalo Bills have advanced to the second round of the playoffs after a convincing victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. The victory did produce more injuries. There are four players questionable this week, and another four have already been ruled out. The Bills also remain without CB Tre White, LB Matt Milano, and DT Jordan Phillips, who are all on IR.

As for the Kansas City Chiefs, they are very healthy. They have a few talented players still on IR, including WR Skyy Moore, RB Jerick McKinnon, and FS Bryan Cook, and OT Prince Tega Wanogho. Starting NT Derrick Nnadi, WR Kadarius Toney, and backup OT Wanya Morris are out. WR Justyn Ross (hamstring), DE/pass-rush specialist Charles Omenihu (illness), and starting LB Willie Gay (neck) are questionable.

OUT

CB Christian Benford

Benford was knocked out of the playoff game last week, when he twisted his right ‘knee’ awkwardly on a tackle attempt. 

The injury has the hallmarks of a meniscal tear/injury. There is no true guideline for return to play if this is a non-operative case, but he will need to be able to twist on his knee, which is the hardest part of recovery. There should be hope he can return next week if the Bills advance.

bonejoint.net

LB Baylon Spector

Spector suffered his ‘back’ injury on the same play Benford hurt his knee. It appeared he took a knee to the back when he was recovering the TE Pat Freiermuth fumble. It didn’t seem like much to speculate other than a bruised back with possible spasms. However, there can also be concern for a disc issue or minor fracture in the spine. It will be interesting to see if he can return if the Bills advance. He was unable to practice at all this week.

WR Gabe Davis

Davis suffered a PCL sprain in his ‘knee’ in Week 18. He took a direct blow to his knee via the turf when he tripped in the end zone on Josh Allen’s second INT of the day. He didn’t leave the game until he was seen pulling up on his first play on the next series.

A PCL injury is rare, and the return to play is variable. Generally speaking, the average return to play is 6-8 weeks (1). However, lower grade PCL injuries can return quicker. It has been reported Davis has a low-grade sprain.

Gabe Davis, PCL sprain
themidastouchinjuryandrehab.com

Davis has not practiced the past two week, but hopefully can return if the Bills advance. This graph displays when mild cases of PCL sprain return in the NFL.

Gabe Davis, PCL sprain
mdedge.com

S Taylor Rapp

Rapp injured his ‘calf’ on his game clinching INT at the end of the Dolphins game in Week 18. Although it appeared he fell on the football and it could be a wind knocked out/rib situation, he strained his left calf when he leaped. Luckily, he caught the ball. But he will have to miss some time. 

Taylor Rapp, calf
imovephysio.com.au

The return to play depends on severity. Players can return in 1-4 weeks, but average about two weeks missed time (2). Rapp has not practiced the past two weeks, but hopefully can return if the Bills advance.

QUESTIONABLE

CB Rasul Douglas

Douglas suffered a ‘knee’ injury in Week 18, exiting that game early. He appeared to have Micah Hyde’s leg whip into the outside of his knee, which would be a mechanism for an MCL sprain.

This is likely a minor sprain, based on Douglas’ postgame interview after the Dolphins game. He also reportedly said after last week’s Wild Card game that he could have played.

Regardless, Douglas was unable to practice at all last week and missed the Wild Card game. Low grade MCL sprains usually take about 1-2 weeks to recover (3) and he appears on track to play this week after logging limited-limited-full participation in practice. Look for him to wear some type of brace during the game.

Rasul Douglas, knee
draustinchen.com

CB Taron Johnson

Johnson left the Pittsburgh Wild Card game with a ‘concussion’, where he displayed alarming symptoms after a hit to the head. This happened a week after he had taken two big shots to the side of head/body against the Dolphins.

He is technically still in concussion protocol, but appears he is ready to clear and play on Sunday. He was limited all week in practice, but was said to be out of his non-contact red jersey on Friday. Johnson has had several concussions in his career but has always been able return without any missed time. He suffered a concussion once already earlier this season. With all that said, he still should be ready to play this Sunday.

LB Terrel Bernard

Bernard was carted off the field in a cast during the Pittsburgh game last week with an ‘ankle’ injury. This is the same ankle he tweaked a few weeks ago. The injury appeared significant when he was carted off. But, with negative x-rays, it can be assumed he only suffered a low ankle sprain. 

The average return to play after a low ankle sprain is 1-3 weeks (4). Bernard was unable to practice all week, but the team is holding out hope that he can suit up on Sunday. I personally don’t see it, as he was still limping noticeably at practice on Friday. If the Bills advance, I do like his chances to play next week. 

Terrel Bernard, ankle
ocvweb.com

P Sam Martin

Even the punter got hurt last week. He injured his ‘hamstring’ chasing down the blocked FG in the first half. However, he was able to punt one time in the second half and hold kicks for K Tyler Bass. Holding kicks looked painful for Martin has he grimaced to get in his stance, and arguably caused him to put down a poor hold on Bass’ second missed FG late in the game.

Hamstrings usually need a two-week recovery, but being only a punter, Martin has a chance to return this week. Due to the constraints from other injuries on the roster and having only two practice squad calls up, Martin might be forced to play on it. In that case, a re-aggravation may occur.

ALSO LISTED

LB Tyrel Dodson

Dodson exited the Week 18 Dolphins game with a ‘shoulder’ injury. There is no clear instance of when the injury occurred. However, due to several hard tackles to his shoulder, it is likely he is dealing with an AC joint injury. Dodson missed last week’s playoff game but progressed from limited-limited-full participation in practice this week and will be playing Sunday. Low grade AC joint sprains usually take 1-2 weeks to return (4). Expect to see him with a harness on his left shoulder against the Chiefs.

Tyrel Dodson, shoulder

QB Josh Allen

Josh Allen’s ‘neck’ ailment occurred on his last play of the Week 17 Patriots game. His neck was bent to the right, stretching the neck musculature on the left side of his neck. This likely caused soreness in the neck muscles on his non-throwing shoulder side. Allen himself stated he sustained a stinger, but it is unknown which arm felt nerve pain. He was seen grasping his right hand after the hit, but he was also dealing with a sprained middle finger in that hand all game. Fortunately, has been a full participant in practice the past three weeks and it does not appear to be hampering him.

WR Stefon Diggs

Diggs was listed with a ‘foot/vet rest’ this week. There shouldn’t be much concern, but he did not practice on Thursday and was limited on Friday in practice. He is likely dealing with a minor sprain of his foot.

Diggs is still rebounding from a drastic drop off in snap share % and production over the second half of the season. The only time Diggs was truly on the injury report this year was leading up to Week 10 (‘back’). He played 98% of the snaps that week, but had dropped off significantly since, especially in the last month of the season. It is unknown if the back injury is the culprit, but something must have been bothering him, even if the team is saying there is nothing major injury wise. Luckily, he played 88% of the snaps Week 18 against the Dolphins and 84% last week against the Steelers.

S Micah Hyde

Micah suffered a “neck stinger” against the Chiefs in Week 14 and did not return to the game, which led to two missed games. This is the same injury he suffered against the Bengals in Week 9. He also exited that game and did not play the following week.

This is a significant injury for Hyde because of his recent neck history. Although not confirmed, Hyde likely underwent an Anterior Cervical Discectomy Fusion (ACDF) last year.

Micah Hyde, neck
biospine.com

A player returning to a contact sport runs a risk returning from these types of injuries. Usually, once they suffer a new stinger or severe neck ailment, it’s game over. Hyde has already had two stingers this year and is continuing to finish out the year. He has been able to play the last three weeks without issues.

Citations

  1. Kew ME, Cavanaugh JT, Elnemer WG, Marx RG. Return to Play after Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2022 Dec; 15(6): 606-615. doi: 10.1007/s12178-022-09794-z. Epub 2022 Nov 30. PMID: 36447081; PMCID: PMC9789230.
  2. Werner BC, Belkin NS, Kennelly S, Weiss L, Barnes RP, Potter HG, Warren RF, Rodeo SA. Acute Gastrocnemius-Soleus Complex Injuries in National Football League Athletes. Orthop J Sports Med. 2017 Jan 11; 5(1): 2325967116680344. doi: 10.1177/2325967116680344. Erratum in: Orthop J Sports Med. 2017 Jan 30; 5(1): 2325967117693882. PMID: 28203595; PMCID: PMC5298443.
  3. Derscheid GL, Garrick JG. Medial collateral ligament injuries in football: nonoperative management of grade I and grade II sprains. Am J Sports Med.1981; 9: 365–368.
  4. D’Hooghe P, Cruz F, Alkhelaifi K. Return to Play After a Lateral Ligament Ankle Sprain. Curr Rev MusculoskeletMed. 2020 Jun; 13(3): 281-288. doi: 10.1007/s12178-020-09631-1. PMID: 32377961; PMCID: PMC7251008.
  5. Lynch TS, Saltzman MD, Ghodasra JH, Bilimoria KY, Bowen MK, Nuber GW. Acromioclavicular joint injuries in the National Football League: epidemiology and management. Am J Sports Med. 2013 Dec; 41(12): 2904-8. doi: 10.1177/0363546513504284. Epub 2013 Sep 20. PMID: 24057030.

Featured Image Credit: Cooper Neill/Getty Images

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