The New England Patriots will be down one defensive starter in Orchard Park.
The organization downgraded outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson to out on the eve of Sunday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills.
Chaisson, 26, had carried a questionable game status for back-to-back weeks due to a knee injury. But March signing practiced in a limited capacity only once during AFC East prep, sitting out Wednesday as well
as Friday. He will now miss his first game of the fall.
Through four starts across from captain Harold Landry III, Chaisson has stayed in for 68.3 percent of the defensive snaps. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound LSU product stands with nine tackles, five quarterback hits and 2.5 sacks.
Entering the NFL in the first round of the 2020 draft at No. 20 overall, Chaisson made previous stops with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders. He made his way to Foxborough on a one-year, $5 million deal as an unrestricted free agent. His absence could thrust Keion White, Anfernee Jennings and Elijah Ponder into expanded roles off the edges.
Defensive tackle Milton Williams, linebacker Jahlani Tavai and cornerback Carlton Davis III remain listed as questionable to face the unbeaten Bills.
Sunday’s kickoff at Highmark Stadium is set for 8:20 p.m. ET.
