It’s gameday for the Buffalo Bills as they will be hosting the New England Patriots for an AFC East showdown. It’s the first divisional game for both of these teams, and each of them are in two different phases at this point early on in the season.
The Patriots are coming into this game without two of their defensive stars in CB Christian Gonzalez and DT Christian Barmore. Buffalo’s offense has that big-time advantage from an offensive perspective. However, their defense could also be going into this game without their best corner.
Bills set up to be without their CB1 in Christian Benford
In Week 3 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Christian Benford went down with a non-contact injury which had Bills Mafia extremely nervous for what it could have been. Luckily, it was just a toe injury so it wasn't anyting too serious. At the same time, he missed all of practice this week and was ruled questionable for Sunday.
Then on Saturday, it was reported per the Buffalo Bills' PR X account that the Bills were elevating two cornerbacks in Te'Cory Couch and Kani Walker.
Elevated DB Te’Cory Couch and CB Kani Walker from the practice squad.
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) October 3, 2026
Seeing the Bills elevate two cornerbacks is interesting. Typically, you only see one player be elevated for a position, but that's not the case here. Couch has familiarity with the Bills the last few seasons, and he had a solid summer performance. Then you have Walker, who was an undrafted free agent that impressed people so much with his play, that many fans thought he deserved a roster spot going into the season.
Not having Christian Benford could put Bills' secondary against major test
Believe it or not, Benford has had a little bit of difficulty through the first three games. He is allowing a 116 rating when targeted by quarterbacks and has already given up two touchdowns against him, per Pro Football Reference. At the same time, he is still the team's best corner and he has made some impressive lockdowns as the game goes on.
If he indeed can't go today against New England, that puts Buffalo's secondary in a tough spot. Even though the Patriots don't have A.J. Brown, who has been on the IR since after Week 1, the Bills still have to not allow other players like Mack Hollins, Romeo Doubs, or Demario Douglas step up and make plays for Drake Maye and the passing attack.
While Benford hasn't been officially ruled out, the fact that the Bills elevated two players at the same position as an indication that he most likely won't suit up. However, nothing is confirmed yet and we will have to wait for the news to break.
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