👀 4. An opportunity at corner

Bills head coach Sean McDermott ruled out cornerback Rasul Douglas for Sunday’s game against the Lions due to a knee injury he suffered against the Rams. The head coach hasn’t announced who will start in Douglas’ place but two players who may get the opportunity are cornerbacks Kaiir Elam and Ja’Marcus Ingram.

Elam’s only start this season came in Week 9 against the Dolphins in place of cornerback Christian Benford. Elam registered five total tackles, one tackle for loss and had one fumble recovery in that victory.

The CB said his mindset to prepare for an opportunity this week has been no different than past weeks. The third-year player who’s appeared in 10 games this season kept the same sense of urgency and will be ready to go if his name is called.

“I didn’t do anything different,” Elam said about his preparation. “I just stayed in my process and my routine. Really every week, I just try to prepare like a starter, like I’m going out there on the first rep until the end of the game.”

Ingram hasn’t made a start this season but has played in 13 games. When his number has been called this season, the third-year player has made some big plays. Ingram had a big-time pass breakup in the fourth quarter of Buffalo’s Week 1 game against Arizona to help secure the 34-28 victory. The next game, the cornerback grabbed two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown against Miami. It didn’t stop there because in Week 3, Ingram had his first career sack against Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Like Elam, Ingram said he prepares like a starter every week.

“I kind of prepare like I’m that, like I’m already the starter,” Ingram said about his prep this week. “And so, it’s easy for me to play the game in my head, I do it weekly. Even when I’m not in the game, just playing the game in my head, getting what the call is, seeing what formations and stuff that they come out in. And just actually seeing myself in that role, so it kind of makes it easier to get in the game.”

Having made multiple game-changing plays already this season, Ingram said that helps with his belief in himself.

“It gives me a lot of confidence,” Ingram said. “I was even reflecting on that yesterday, just thinking about what I’ve done to get to this point. And also reassuring myself that I can play at this level, and I can make plays so that gives me a ton of confidence that I know I can go out there and ball.”