Taron Johnson
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Bills cornerback Taron Johnson has revealed that his shoulder injury is worse than previously known.
The Buffalo Bills took a big hit to their secondary when starting safety Taylor Rapp was placed on injured reserve last week, then got more bad news as the practice week came to a close and their annual regular-season meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs neared.
The Bills announced after Friday’s practice that nickel cornerback Taron Johnson would be added to the injury report, listing him with a questionable status for Sunday’s game. Johnson had been healthy throughout the week, suggesting a late injury that could now put the team at an even bigger disadvantage against a surging Chiefs offense.
Taron Johnson Likely Hurt in Practice
Reporter Ralph Ventre of SI.com suggested that Johnson’s injury likely came during practice on Friday, given that he had been a full practice participant throughout the week and spoke to reporters on Thursday about his approach to the game.
“For me in particular, I feel like it is just another game. Every game, I’m treating it like it’s my last game. I feel like there’s really no difference. Every time I’m out to play an opponent, I do everything I can for us to win the game,” said Johnson.
Johnson is a key part of Buffalo’s defense, playing in nickel packages and earning a reputation as one of the best at his position across the league.
The Bills will already be without Rapp, who was placed on injured reserve while dealing with a lingering knee issue. Head coach Sean McDermott told reporters on Friday that the veteran safety would miss the rest of the season.
“[Rapp] just had the surgery. He had surgery two days ago or a day ago,” McDermott said, via ESPN. “So, at this point it’s probably, I’m not a doctor, but from what I’m hearing it’s probably not until next year at this point.”
The Bills already placed backup Damar Hamlin on injured reserve, putting returning veteran Jordan Poyer in position to start against the Chiefs alongside rookie Jordan Hancock.
The Bills also ruled out defensive lineman DaQuan Jones, linebacker Shaq Thompson, and wide receiver Joshua Palmer for Sunday’s game. The team did get some good injury news as well, with linebackers Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard participating in practice fully all week and going into the game with no injury designations.
Josh Allen Picking Up the Slack
Bills quarterback Josh Allen shared some praise for the Chiefs this week, saying it could be up to the offense to lead the way against Patrick Mahomes and a rapidly improving offense in Kansas City.
“Anytime you’re playing against a good team and a good quarterback, you have to play at the top of your game in order to win a football game,” Allen said. “Not that you don’t go out there and try to play your best all the time, [but] there is a heightened sense of awareness to that of understanding who’s on the other side of the football. But yeah, you wanna go out there and our goal is to try to score on every drive and that’s what we try to do.”