Villanova in the Pros: Christian Benford Okay After Scary Collision

Villanova Football alumnus and Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford went down with an injury during the third quarter of the Bills’ Thursday, Sept. 18 game against the Miami Dolphins after colliding with teammate Taylor Rapp. Per a press release from Buffalo’s PR department, however, Benford got the wind knocked out of him and will return shortly.

The play occurred on a third down incompletion. With Benford covering Miami receiver Tyreek Hill, Rapp, a safety, crashed toward them with the ball in the air, colliding with Benford’s chest. Benford stayed down, talking with trainers before walking off under his own power. Although the Bills went three-and-out, the brief possession gave Benford enough time to recover and return to the field for the ensuing defensive drive.

A sixth round pick out of Villanova in 2022, Benford signed a four year, $76 million extension with the Bills during the offseason, one that made him one of the fifteen highest paid cornerbacks in the NFL.

That deal came on the heels of a breakout campaign in 2024 with 50 solo tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions and ten passes defensed. With five picks and 25 passes defensed in his three year career, Benford has a knack for getting his hands on the football.