Buffalo Bills starting safety Taylor Rapp will miss Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs due to back and hip injuries, coach Sean McDermott confirmed on Friday.
With Rapp out, rookie Cole Bishop, 22, will start alongside Damar Hamlin. Bishop has started four games this season, mainly due to injuries, and has played in 16 games, primarily on special teams.
McDermott expressed confidence in Bishop’s ability to step up, saying, “He’s a young player, but at the same time, he’s grown…he’s grown through each experience, and confident he’ll continue to do that moving forward.”
Bishop came in for Rapp after he got injured in the second quarter during the Bills’ divisional round win over the Baltimore Ravens. Before leaving the game, Rapp had an interception and two regular-season picks. Bishop has 40 tackles, one forced fumble, and two pass deflections this season.
Bishop mentioned that despite the pressure, he felt ready, saying, “It’s easy to say it’s just like any other game, but everybody knows it’s really not…you’ve just got to go make plays.”
The Bills are also facing other injury concerns heading into the game against Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Starting cornerback Christian Benford is still in concussion protocol and missed Friday’s practice due to a personal matter, though McDermott expects him to return soon.
Linebacker Matt Milano (hamstring/biceps) and nickel corner Taron Johnson (neck/shoulder) were both full participants in Friday’s practice and are good to go for Sunday.
