Chiefs-Bills Final Injury Report: Key Starter to Miss Sunday’s AFC Championship Game

The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills had important injury news to release ahead of their matchup on Sunday for the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium.

Earlier in the week, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed that wide receiver Mecole Hardman would miss the rest of the postseason after the team chose not to activate him from injured reserve. The Super Bowl hero from last February suffered a knee injury.

Despite returning to practice, Kansas City determined he was not ready to return to action.

The Buffalo Bills ruled out a key defender for Sunday

On Friday, Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott ruled out safety Taylor Rapp for Sunday.

The Bills will ask rookie safety Cole Bishop to start in place of Rapp. Bishop has struggled in his first season in the league, and the Chiefs should have a mismatch between their pass catchers and Buffalo’s banged-up secondary. (Cornerback Christian Benford is questionable due to a concussion.)

This week, the Chiefs placed quarterback Patrick Mahomes on the injury report for a knee issue he suffered back in Kansas City’s 21-7 Week 15 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

The Kansas City Chiefs made a decision on Patrick Mahomes

Per Matt McMullen with the Chiefs, the injury report for the AFC championship shows Mahomes was a full participant in all three practices this week. Mahomes, offensive guard Mike Caliendo, offensive tackle, Jawaan Taylor, and cornerback Jaylen Watson are good to go against the Bills on Sunday.

Here’s the final injury report for the Chiefs and Bills. pic.twitter.com/7sEVSJfsfj

— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) January 24, 2025

Mahomes battled through the injury in a 23-14 win over the Houston Texans on Saturday. Mahomes went 16-of-25 passing for 177 yards and one touchdown in the divisional round win.

Mahomes will face a more challenging opponent on Sunday. The Chiefs’ offense will have to keep up with quarterback Josh Allen if they want to keep their hopes for a three-peat alive.

The Bills and Chiefs have each won four games in the rivalry since 2020.

KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 21: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs lines up before the snap during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)