ORCHARD PARK – Safety Taylor Rapp, who has faced significant criticism this season, has been placed on injured reserve due to a lingering knee issue, confirmed Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott on Friday morning. Rapp has battled this injury since training camp, and McDermott noted, “It got to the point where he can’t be himself,” leading to the decision to place him on IR, as advised by medical personnel.
Despite participating in nearly all six games this season, Rapp’s struggles on the field may have been influenced by the injury. His absence adds to the Bills’ defensive challenges, as backup safety Damar Hamlin was also placed on injured reserve prior to the October 13 game against the Atlanta Falcons. Rapp will be sidelined for at least four weeks.
In response to Rapp’s injury, the Bills are likely to elevate Jordan Poyer from the practice squad to the 53-man roster and he is expected to start alongside Cole Bishop in the upcoming match against the Carolina Panthers. Cam Lewis will serve as the team’s fourth safety option.
Additionally, coach McDermott confirmed that defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (calf) and wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) will not be playing against the Panthers this weekend. Both players sustained injuries in the Atlanta game, but have not been put on injured reserve, indicating the coaching staff believes they may return within the next four weeks.
Linebackers Matt Milano (pectoral) and Terrel Bernard (ankle), along with tight end Dalton Kincaid (oblique), have all experienced limited practice this week, resulting in them being listed as questionable for the game. Meanwhile, wide receiver Curtis Samuel (ribs) has fully returned to practice and is cleared to play.
The situation is further complicated by rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston’s practice window, which opened this week. He needs to be activated to the 53-man roster within 21 days or face season-ending injured reserve. Although he practiced throughout the week, Hairston is not yet game-ready after missing nearly three months due to a knee injury sustained in late July. Despite these challenges, he remains optimistic, stating, “It felt good… just going out there and play,” and expressed gratitude that his injury was not more severe.
Hairston’s return is not only significant for his development but also crucial for the Bills’ secondary, particularly with the struggles of starting cornerback Tre’Davious White. McDermott has cautioned that while Hairston is physically prepared, he will need to manage expectations regarding mental preparedness and understanding of the playbook after such an extended absence.
McDermott stated, “He’s done some good things… it’s a lot that is new for him with all the time he missed,” emphasizing the need for a careful, measured approach to his return.
As the Bills face these challenges, the hope remains that they can navigate through the injuries and emerge more resilient, fostering a sense of optimism for the season ahead.