ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills emerged from their hard-fought victory against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium on Sunday night, but the win came at a cost. While the team initially appeared to escape the bruising battle without significant injuries, head coach Sean McDermott revealed on Wednesday that the Bills’ defense is now grappling with setbacks that could threaten their already strained unit.
Injury to cornerback could be another blow to Bills defense …
Nickel cornerback Taron Johnson, a cornerstone of Buffalo’s secondary, suffered a quad injury that flared up post-game, sidelining him for Wednesday’s practice. Similarly, backup linebacker and special teams contributor Shaq Thompson aggravated a hamstring injury that had already disrupted his training camp. McDermott confirmed, “Neither of those two will practice today, and then everyone else will be practicing in some capacity.”
Johnson’s injury is particularly concerning for a defense that struggled mightily against the Ravens, surrendering 40 points despite securing the win. The veteran cornerback has a history of injury struggles, having missed four games after getting hurt in the 2024 season opener. McDermott noted, “It kind of cropped up a little bit yesterday. We think it’s from the game. So, just human bodies, right?” The uncertainty surrounding Johnson’s recovery timeline adds pressure to an already vulnerable secondary.
Thompson, a recent addition to the Bills after being released by the Carolina Panthers in the spring, has also been plagued by injuries in recent years. His hamstring issue, which resurfaced after limiting his participation in training camp, further depletes Buffalo’s depth at linebacker and on special teams.
Amid the injury concerns, there was a positive update on cornerback Tre’Davious White, who has been sidelined since August 21 with a groin injury and was inactive for the Ravens game. McDermott shared, “Tre White will be out there, and for all three of those guys, we’ll see where it goes this week, and we’ll take it one day at a time.” White’s potential return could provide a much-needed boost to the Bills’ secondary, which was exposed against Baltimore’s potent offense.
In White’s absence, rookie cornerback Dorian Strong stepped into the starting role against the Ravens and performed admirably. Despite the defense’s overall struggles, Strong held his own, earning praise from McDermott. When asked about the implications of White’s potential return for Strong’s role, McDermott remained cautious, stating, “Yeah, we’ll see. We have a lot of confidence in Tre, and Dorian’s a young player that did some good things the other day. I think the best thing we could do right now in terms of our approach is see how Tre is today and take it one day at a time, but we have a lot of confidence in Tre.”
The Bills’ defense faced a brutal night against the Ravens, and the injuries to Johnson and Thompson only compound the challenges for McDermott’s unit. With Johnson’s status uncertain and Thompson’s recurring hamstring issues, Buffalo’s depth will be tested as they prepare for upcoming games. White’s return could provide some stability, but the team will need to carefully manage his recovery to avoid further setbacks.
As the Bills navigate this turbulent period, McDermott’s focus remains on taking things “one day at a time.” The emergence of young talent like Strong offers hope, but the potential loss of key players like Johnson could prove devastating for a defense already reeling from a high-scoring affair. Buffalo fans will be holding their breath as the team awaits further updates on their injured stars.