The Bills have suffered a huge blow to their secondary ahead of Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott announced Friday that starting safety Taylor Rapp will miss Sunday’s game due to a hip injury.

Rapp, who has been dealing with both hip and back-related injuries, has not participated in team practice at all this week.

The 27-year-old started in 14 games at safety this season for the Bills, recording two interceptions and 82 tackles.

Prior to his injury sustained during the Bills’ divisional round win against the Ravens, Rapp picked off Lamar Jackson late in the first quarter.

Rapp also won a Super Bowl as a member of the Rams in 2021.

With Rapp ruled out, rookie Cole Bishop is expected to start on Sunday beside starting safety Damar Hamlin.

Bishop started in four games for the Bills this season due to injuries, and entered the game against the Ravens following Rapp’s injury.

McDermott expressed high confidence in Bishop during an interview with ESPN. Despite being a young player, Bishop has shown growth and resilience. McDermott acknowledged that Bishop faced a setback due to an injury during training camp, which impeded his progress. However, Bishop has continued to evolve and learn from each experience, instilling confidence in his coach for his future development.

The second-rounder out of Utah appeared in 16 total games this season, with the majority of his time being spent on special teams.

Bishop acknowledged the pressure of the game during an interview with ESPN, highlighting the significance of thorough preparation. He emphasized the importance of dedicating the week to preparation so that by game day, he is confident in his readiness to perform. Bishop stressed the notion of leaving no room for nerves on game day, as he believes in putting in the work beforehand to execute plays effectively.

Furthermore, the Bills are contending with various injuries on their defense, with starting cornerback Christian Benford currently navigating the concussion protocol alongside Rapp.

The Bills are hoping to dethrone the back-to-back defending champions in Kansas City on Sunday.