There’s a football game in Kansas City in late January. Shocking, isn’t it? For the seventh consecutive season, the Chiefs are playing in the AFC Championship Game. They are hosting the game for the sixth time in that span. A win sends them to their third straight Super Bowl and fifth in six years as they look to complete the three-peat and win their fourth Super Bowl in six seasons.
In their way on Sunday, Jan. 26 is Josh Allen and the No. 2-seed Buffalo Bills, the only team to defeat the Chiefs’ starters this season — the Denver Broncos beat the Chiefs in Week 18 when nearly every Kansas City starter was held out to rest up for the playoffs.
This is the second time in five seasons that the Bills and Chiefs are playing for the Lamar Hunt Trophy and the fourth time in that span they are meeting in the playoffs.
Let’s touch on the latest injury news for the AFC Championship.
Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs Inactives
Buffalo Bills Inactives
- DT DeWayne Carter
- CB Brandon Codrington
- DT Quinton Jefferson
- S Taylor Rapp
- OT Ryan Van Demark
- C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
- QB Mike White
Kansas City Chiefs Inactives
- OT Ethan Driskell
- OG C.J. Hanson
- DE Malik Herring
- OT Wanya Morris
- WR Justyn Ross
- CB Keith Taylor
- DE Joshua Uche
Latest Injury Report News and Updates
The big injury news for the Bills is Rapp is being ruled out with back and hip injuries. Rapp suffered a hip injury last week against the Baltimore Ravens. With Rapp out, rookie Cole Bishop will likely start next to Damar Hamlin in the secondary.
Cornerback Christian Benford was in the concussion protocol this week and is questionable for Sunday’s game. He was on the practice field on Thursday ahead of the game but was excused from practice on Friday for personal reasons. This could be a true game-time decision.
The Chiefs are counting their blessings this week. There is next to no news for them from an injury standpoint. Only four players were even listed on the injury report. Those four were quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle), OT Jawaan Taylor (knee), OL Mike Caliendo (shoulder), and cornerback Jaylen Watson (ankle). None have a game designation. It doesn’t get much better than that going into the conference championship.
Buffalo Bills’ Projected Starting Lineup
Here is the projected starting lineup for the Bills based on their current depth chart:
- Quarterback: Josh Allen
- Running back: James Cook
- Fullback: Reggie Gilliam
- Wide receiver: Keon Coleman, Amari Cooper, Khalil Shakir
- Tight end: Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox
- Left tackle: Dion Dawkins
- Left guard: David Edwards
- Center: Connor McGovern
- Right guard: O’Cyrus Torrence
- Right tackle: Spencer Brown
- Defensive ends: Greg Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa
- Defensive tackles: DaQuan Jones, Ed Oliver
- Weakside linebacker: Matt Milano
- Middle linebacker: Terrel Bernard
- Cornerbacks: Christian Benford, Taron Johnson
- Safeties: Taylor Rapp, Damar Hamlin
- Kicker: Tyler Bass
- Punter: Sam Martin
- Long snapper: Reid Ferguson
- Kick returner: Ray Davis
- Punt returner: Brandon Codrington
Kansas City Chiefs Projected Starting Lineup
Here is the projected starting lineup for the Chiefs based on their current depth chart.
- Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes
- Running back: Isiah Pacheco
- Wide receiver: DeAndre Hopkins, Hollywood Brown, Xavier Worthy
- Tight end: Travis Kelce
- Left tackle: Joe Thuney
- Left guard: Mike Caliendo
- Center: Creed Humphrey
- Right guard: Trey Smith
- Right tackle: Jawaan Taylor
- Defensive end: George Karlaftis, Mike Danna
- Defensive tackles: Chris Jones, Tershawn Wharton
- Middle linebacker: Nick Bolton
- Weakside linebacker: Drue Tranquill
- Strongside linebacker: Leo Chenal
- Cornerbacks: Jaylen Watson, Trent McDuffie
- Safeties: Justin Reid, Bryan Cook
- Kicker: Harrison Butker
- Punter: Matt Araiza
- Long snapper: James Winchester
- Kick returner: Nikko Remigio
- Punt returner: Nikko Remigio