Taron Johnson ‘optimistic’ he’ll play vs. the Chiefs; 4 other Bills ruled out

Orchard Park, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills slot cornerback Taron Johnson is optimistic he’ll play on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs just six days after he suffered a concussion in a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Johnson, voted as a second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press last week, spoke to reporters on Friday and said that he feels good and that if he passes the final check in the NFL’s concussion protocol on Saturday, he’ll play. He’s officially questionable on the team’s final injury report.

“Taking it one day at a time,” he said. “I thought I was gonna go back in the game (against the Steelers) because I felt fine. But they’re just looking out for me. ... just making sure I do everything it takes (to try to get back and play).

The Bills ruled out four players on Friday for Sunday’s game at Highmark Stadium. Wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee), safety Taylor Rapp (calf), cornerback Christian Benford (knee), and linebacker Baylon Spector (back) will not play against the Chiefs.

Davis and Rapp will miss their second consecutive game after going down with injuries in the season finale against the Miami Dolphins. Spector and Benford both suffered injuries last week against the Steelers.

Bills coach Sean McDermott said earlier this week that there’s nothing the Bills can do about the long list of injuries except getting their team ready to play the Chiefs.

“Our team has fought all season long,” he said. “We’re not going to stop fighting now. Our team’s been resilient, and our players have done a phenomenal job of stepping up when someone has gone down in their position or their position group. We saw evidence of that (against the Steelers).”

The Bills will likely welcome back linebacker Tyrel Dodson and cornerback Rasul Douglas against the Chiefs. Both have been practicing this week. Douglas is listed as questionable but said he was good to go earlier in the week. McDermott said on Friday that Dodson came in on Tuesday morning after the Steelers game and told the team he was good to go.

Dodson’s return looms large with the unclear status of starting middle linebacker Terrel Bernard, who was carted off the field against the Steelers with an ankle injury. He hasn’t practiced all week but McDermott said he’ll be a game-time decision as he continues to rehab his injured ankle. Bernard is listed as questionable and McDermott said earlier in the week that he’s hopeful about Bernard’s outlook.

Stefon Diggs popped up on the injury report on Thursday with a vet rest day and a foot injury designation. McDermott said that it happened during the game against the Steelers but came onto his radar later in the week. Diggs looked active and moving well on the field during Friday’s walk-through. He doesn’t have an injury designation on the official team report.

The Bills signed former punter Matt Haack to their practice squad this week as starter Sam Martin has a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable. Haack has been working and waiting for a call after a one-game showing with the Cleveland Browns last month. If Marton can’t go, Haack will either need to be elevated off the practice squad or signed to the active roster. The Bills would need to open up a spot on the 53-man roster to go that route.

Martin said on Friday that he’s working to get healthy and close to 100%. He said it’s hard to tell if he’ll be able to get to a spot where he can play on Sunday.

With Benford out for the game, Douglas and veteran Dane Jackson are expected to start at the cornerback spots. Kaiir Elam came in for Benford against the Steelers and had an interception in the win.

Jackson said the attitude in the cornerback room hasn’t changed.

“It’s been upbeat,” he said. “We’ve all been sticking together - working together - and relaying the message that no matter what when you go out there, the standard is the standard. No matter who’s out there, we all play together.”

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