ESPN: Coach Sean McDermott announced on Monday that Buffalo Bills CB suffered a head injury making him doubtful for AFC championship game.

Coach Sean McDermott announced on Monday that Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford suffered a head injury on the Baltimore Ravens’ onside kick attempt on his last play in Sunday’s Divisional playoff game.

Kristian Welch, a linebacker for the Ravens, attempted to rush through a Benford block and struck the Bills defensive back head-on.

Benford’s fate for this Sunday’s AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs is uncertain because he is in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Benford would be out of commission in a playoff game against Kansas City for the second consecutive season if he is unable to play this weekend.

This season, the Bills have depended on Benford’s exceptional covering skills. In the regular season, Benford gave up.51 yards per coverage snap, according to Pro Football Focus. Among all NFL cornerbacks, that figure came in third place.

Third-year cornerback Kaiir Elam, who the Bills selected in the first round of the 2022 draft, may be the next in line if Benford is unable to play. Buffalo’s best boundary cornerbacks are starter Benford and veteran Rasul Douglas, therefore Elam has had difficulty securing a regular spot on the squad. Elam has missed five of the previous eight games for the Bills. In Weeks 14 and 15, he filled in for an injured Douglas, but the next week he returned to inactivity.

Like all of his players, Elam is someone who Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich believes in. If Benford is unable to play, it will be the first-year DC’s responsibility to have Elam or whoever steps in ready to play.

It is a chance for another person. You’ve probably heard that a lot here: “The standard is the standard,” Babich remarked. “You had better have the players prepared.”