Two Bills ‘preparing as a starter’ with veteran Rasul Douglas out vs. Lions

The Buffalo Bills have two legitimate third-year options to replace injured cornerback Rasul Douglas in their Week 15 starting lineup.

Either undrafted Ja’Marcus Ingram or former first-rounder Kaiir Elam will face the Detroit Lions’ high-powered offense on Dec. 15 at Ford Field. Both players joined the Bills in 2022, and both have appeared in a key spot at some point this season.

“I’m still working through it. Got a pretty good idea, just don’t want to go there yet,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Friday when asked about a replacement starter for Douglas, who was officially ruled out. to the knee injury against the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 8.

Ingram, who has appeared in all 13 games this season, recorded 16 defensive snaps in place of Douglas against the Rams. Although the bulk of his action has come on special teams, Buffalo has routinely inserted the second stringer in select dime packages.

“Same thing I do every week — prepare like I’m starting. That’s my same philosophy. I keep the same routine and prepare like I’m starting,” Ingram said Friday. “It’s easy for me to play the game in my head. I do it weekly, even when I’m not in the game.”

Still waiting for his first career start, Ingram stepped up when he was called up in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins. He made two interceptions, including a Pick 6, in the 31-10 road win.

“Thinking about what I’ve done to get to this point. Reassuring myself that I can play at this level and I can play,” Ingram said.

Elam, who has struggled to get a spot on the field, was a healthy scratch in Week 14. After playing in the first 10 games, the Florida product has been inactive for three straight.

“It’s made me stronger. I used to let it affect me. Now I just manage the controllables,” Elam said.

Although he reportedly struggles to understand Sean McDermott’s zone-heavy defensive scheme, Elam has held his own on multiple occasions and even has a postseason interception to his credit.

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Elam made one start this season when Christian Benford was unavailable against the Miami Dolphins in Week 9. He made five tackles and had one fumble in the second half.

“Every week I just try to prepare as a starter. I didn’t really do anything different. I really just stayed calm and had a sense of urgency on the field,” Elam said.

Whether it’s Ingram or Elam, it won’t be easy to slow down Jared Goff and the Lions. Dan Campbell’s team has the NFL’s second-ranked offense.

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