Key Bills Veteran Misses Practice for 'Preventative' Reasons

Some Buffalo Bills fans may have been concerned if they checked the injury report Thursday as cornerback Taron Johnson missed practice with a quad injury. However, according to head coach Sean McDermott, keeping Johnson out of practice was solely for "preventative" reasons.

"Taron Johnson has a quad, that’s more, from what I understand, preventative and just being—he’s just sore, so that’s what I know at this point on Taron,” McDermott said.

While Johnson's injury is not a long-term concern with the team, fans should not expect him to play in the Bills' final preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, as the team is planning to rest a majority of their starters.

Johnson, who has been with the Bills since 2018, signed a three-year, $31 million contract in the offseason after being named a second-team All-Pro in 2023. The team is anticipating another big year from Johnson after a strong, consistent training camp.

Fans will hope that Johnson's injury is as minor as McDermott claims, since the team has struggled with injuries throughout the preseason, especially in the secondary. While safeties Cole Bishop and Mike Edwards did return to practice earlier in the week, Damar Hamlin sustained an injury the week prior and is expected to miss time.

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While Johnson may not appear against Carolina, he will, barring a more substantial injury, almost certainly take the field in the Bills' regular-season opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 8.