ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Bills are battling injury at an important position going into Sunday night’s season opener against the Baltimore Ravens.
A defensive backfield already missing first-round draft pick Maxwell Hairston faces further uncertainty as both starting cornerbacks Christian Benford and Tre’Davious White are dealing with groin injuries.
White did not practice Wednesday but has not been ruled out for Sunday’s game, coach Sean McDermott said. Benford was a limited participant in practice, and McDermott responded “we’ll see” when asked if the Bills best coverage defender will play against a potent Ravens offense led by All-Pro quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Hairston, who was competing with White for the starting position opposite Benford, is on injured reserve for at least the first four games after hurting his knee during training camp.
Buffalo’s backups at cornerback are Ja’Marcus Ingram, a dime package defender whose only start in three seasons came in last season’s meaningless finale, and rookie Dorian Strong.
“They’ll be ready,” McDermott said. “Those guys, they take a lot of pride in the preparation piece of things. Dorian obviously being new to us, but we’ve got great leadership on this team that can set a good example for them all the while.”
The Bills also could call up veteran Dane Jackson from the practice squad. Jackson has started 31 NFL games, including 28 in his previous tenure with Buffalo.
Strong, a sixth-round draft pick from Virginia Tech who grew up rooting for the Ravens, said “I feel very prepared, I feel very comfortable, I feel very confident. The past couple practices have been really good practices for me, making plays on the ball. So the confidence is there.”
“Every day coming to work and getting better,” Ingram said. “Sharpening my knife and sharpening my craft, I think that just helps me go out there and play with confidence and take on the role, whatever that role may be.”