ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – The Buffalo Bills are facing another significant loss on their defense. Coach Sean McDermott announced that starting safety Taylor Rapp will be placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury, prior to Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers. Rapp has been dealing with knee problems since training camp, but so far he had managed to avoid missing games. Medically, they feel he is not in a condition to play at a level that allows him to do his job. But you have to give Rapp credit, he has fought for more than six weeks, since he was injured in training camp, probably about 14 days after starting. He is a warrior and reached a point where he simply couldn’t do it anymore. That’s how we are. Among the options to replace Rapp in the starting position are Jordan Poyer, a veteran on the team, and rookie Jordan Hancock. The Bills will also be without starting defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (calf) and wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle/knee). However, McDermott expressed that, although he cannot guarantee that either will be placed on the injured list, he feels more optimistic about their progress. Tight end Dalton Kincaid (oblique) and linebackers Terrel Bernard (ankle) and Matt Milano (pectoral) are questionable for the game, after having participated in a limited capacity in practice during the week. Kincaid missed the Week 6 game before the bye week, but no longer wore a non-contact jersey this week. McDermott also commented on the possibility of cornerback Maxwell Hairston, a first-round pick, being removed from the injured list before the game, after his practice window opened this week.
The key is managing expectations. I know he’s a number 1 pick. That said, a lot of time has been lost, so we’re trying to be delicate with the situation as best we can, supporting him and, at the same time, challenging him.
Sean McDermott
