In a moment that left fans and analysts stunned, Bills’ cornerback Christian Benford suffered another concussion during the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs, igniting debates about player safety and the league’s handling of return-to-play protocols.

The incident occurred late in the first quarter as Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy sprinted toward the sideline on an 8-yard run. Benford and safety Damar Hamlin both closed in for the tackle, but instead of stopping Worthy, their helmets collided in a brutal impact that immediately sidelined the Bills’ top defensive back.

The timing of the injury has raised eyebrows. Benford had sustained a concussion just a week earlier while defending an onside kick during Buffalo’s divisional round victory over the Ravens. Despite this, he was cleared to play after reportedly passing the NFL’s concussion protocol. Critics are now questioning whether his quick return to action may have compromised his health.

Benford, drafted by Buffalo in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, has proven himself to be a key asset for the team, starting in 29 games over the last two seasons. His absence leaves a significant gap in the Bills‘ secondary at the most crucial point in their postseason journey.

The injury sparks controversy about NFL protocols

The NFL has yet to comment on the controversy surrounding Benford’s return to play, but the situation has reignited concerns over the adequacy of the league’s concussion management system. With growing scrutiny around player safety, the handling of Benford’s back-to-back injuries could prompt changes to the protocol that governs how and when athletes are deemed fit to return to the field.

As the Bills regroup to address the loss of their star cornerback, the league faces mounting pressure to ensure incidents like this don’t compromise player well-being in the future.