Buffalo Rumblings
Both teams are as close to full strength as you can be this late in the season
The Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs are set to kick off in just around 90 minutes, which means the inactive lists are official. For the Bills, just one player on the active roster was ruled out prior to the game. Baylon Spector, whose 21-day practice window on injured reserve opened this week, was also ruled out, but since he’s on IR, he doesn’t count for this list.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, ruled out zero players this week. They enter the game at nearly full health. Buffalo does, as well, though they’ll be down one key starter for tonight’s matchup. One starter they won’t be missing is cornerback Christian Benford, who is active for the game tonight. He was in concussion protocol, but must have cleared as he is active.
Here is the full inactive list for both clubs in tonight’s AFC Championship Game.
Buffalo’s third quarterback is inactive unless there’s an emergency. If White plays, that means both Josh Allen and Mitchell Trubisky are hurt. It also likely means that the season is over.
The swing tackle for much of the season is a healthy scratch now that rookie Tylan Grable is back healthy. He’ll suit up as the backup tackle.
The rookie is inactive once again. Veteran Will Clapp, who was called up from the practice squad again this week, is active as the main reserve interior lineman. Alec Anderson is active as the sixth lineman-slash-interior reserve, as well.
The rookie is a healthy scratch, just as he’s been all postseason. Jordan Phillips, and Austin Johnson will be the backups to Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones
Buffalo is going heavy with the corners, as both Christian Benford and Kaiir Elam are active tonight. They’re going a little lighter with the defensive tackle rotation, however.
The rookie returner is inactive again this week. That means Ty Johnson and Ray Davis will return kicks, and Khalil Shakir will remain the punt returner this week.
This is big, as Buffalo’s back end on defense has looked pretty, pretty good of late. Rapp was carted off with a hip injury last weekend. Rookie Cole Bishop is expected to start in his place. Veteran Kareem Jackson was elevated from the practice squad, and the 37-year-old will play on special teams and as a reserve.
Here are the inactive players for Kansas City:
