Training camps have kicked off around the NFL, and our team reporters are on the ground each day following all the action. The Buffalo Bills' camp is taking place in Pittsford, New York, and Bills reporter Alaina Getzenberg has the latest intel on standouts, highlights, position battles, depth chart movement, cut decisions and of course the quarterback room.
What follows is everything we are seeing and hearing at camp. We will file the latest updates. Who are the breakout playerss to watch, especially for fantasy football? And which players on the roster bubble could make the final 53?
Let's get into it all, and be sure to keep checking back for more information until the first full week of the preseason begins on Aug. 7.
Latest news from Bills camp
Bills' Maxwell Hairston avoids serious knee injury, source confirms
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Friday, Aug. 1
The Bills practiced under the lights at a festive stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Friday night in the annual "Return of the Blue and Red" practice and second-year wide receiver Keon Coleman stood out for a variety of reasons. Quarterback Josh Allen did not participate in team drills, so the quarterbacking for the first-team offense was split between Mitchell Trubisky and Mike White as the backup quarterback competition continues.
Coleman started the night with two drops, including one during 11-on-11 drills on a pass from Trubisky that bounced off his hands.
But Coleman made a comeback with multiple impressive grabs in the team period, including one where he beat cornerback Christian Benford on a rep and made a catch in tight coverage. Coleman also made two standout catches on the same drive, both with cornerback Dane Jackson in coverage.
"You don't move on [from the drops]," Coleman said after practice. "That s--- still pissing me off, but it's just, you got to make the next play. You got to go on. But I keep it in the back of my head. I got anger problems when it comes to that. So, you don't drop it. That's the only thing you can get over. You go, keep going."
The up and downs mirror Coleman's career and training camp thus far with some highlight reel plays that show just what he is capable of and then other moments when he does not put together the details or falls short of completing the plays. Working to reduce the plays lead to frustration will be important for Coleman's development.
Allen wore the team's throwback red helmet to practice. He has a tradition of wearing a special helmet to the annual practice at the stadium, but this time, he was actually able to keep it on during practice as it is a helmet the team will wear for their final regular season game at the current stadium in Week 18 vs. the New York Jets.
While kicker Tyler Bass was out trying some kicks before practice (he's been dealing with pelvic area soreness and missed the last three practices), the team had a special player take the kicks during team drills -- running back Ray Davis. The second-year back told "everybody, whoever wanted to listen," that he was a high school kicker and showed them a video of him making a 57-yard kick. Davis hadn't kicked since high school, and got some warmup. He then proceeded to miss his first wide left, but make his next two attempts. "I was always telling them, 'Hey, if we ever need a guy, I can be that backup guy,'" Davis said. "But it was fun to come out here and do it. Hopefully you'll see me during the season."
WR Khalil Shakir and LB Shaq Thompson both left practice early with athletic trainers. OL Mike Edwards was down on the ground for a bit after a play during the 11-on-11 period, but returned to practice.
TE Dawson Knox, WR Joshua Palmer, WR Elijah Moore did not participate in the team period.
CB Tre'Davious White. LB Matt Milano and DE Joey Bosa had veteran rest days. LB Terrel Bernard (hamstring) and LB Dorian Williams also remained out, and with Thompson's injury, Joe Andreessen (MLB) and Baylon Spector (WLB) got significant first-team reps.
Other players still not participating include RT Spencer Brown, OL Alec Anderson, OL Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, CB Maxwell Hairston, WR Kaden Prather, WR Curtis Samuel and S Cole Bishop.
Thursday, July 31
With the news that rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston (right LCL sprain) will miss time, the challenge now turns to keeping the first-round pick progressing while he is unable to perform on the field. Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich said that while it's hard to simulate game speed and the physicality it brings, they'll have a plan for bringing Hairston along.
"It's tough, but the NFL is not worried about us and trying to get him caught up," Babich said. "So, we're going to do everything we can to make sure he's ready to go and can perform. Certainly, we've got to be creative in the ways we go about it, but between [safeties coach] Joe Dana, [cornerbacks coach] Jahmile Addae [and] myself, we'll definitely have a plan, and we'll do the best we can to get him ready to go."
A player who Babich noted as being expected to play more snaps with Hairston's absence is rookie Dorian Strong, a sixth-round pick.
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Tight end Dawson Knox (hamstring) participated in his first training camp practice after coming into camp on the non-football injury list. Knox shared after practice that his injury took place on his last day running separately from the team, on the last 20 yards of his final sprint. "We were doing curved strides and on the last probably 10 steps just felt a little tweak, just enough to where I had to call [head athletic trainer Nate Breske]," Knox said. "Get up here as fast as I could and make sure we're rehabbing it the right way." Knox, who didn't participate in team drills, said he had been itching to get back on the field and that it was an injury they didn't want to rush.
Wide receiver Keon Coleman has caught a couple nice balls as of late, including one from Josh Allen during 7-on-7 drills.
With injuries at linebacker, veteran Shaq Thompson has spent time with the first-team defense. He is a player to keep an eye on and has emerged as a serious roster candidate.
Wide receivers Tyrell Shavers (ankle) and Elijah Moore (leg soreness) also returned to practice after missing two days but didn't do team drills. Receiver Kristian Wilkerson was the beneficiary of the injuries, getting snaps with the first-team offense. Defensive tackles DeWayne Carter and Larry Ogunjobi and offensive lineman Mike Edwards also returned. Receiver Joshua Palmer sat out the team drills after talking to athletic trainers following a rep. It's unclear what his injury is.
Bills offensive lineman Alec Anderson had his left knee scoped after leaving practice early Monday. He is considered week-to-week. Anderson is a key piece of the Bills offense as the sixth offensive lineman, playing in 26.9% of the team's offensive snaps last season.
Safety Cole Bishop (quad) missed practice after sitting out Tuesday's session early. Safety Damar Hamlin has been with the first-team defense, alongside Taylor Rapp, in Bishop's place.
Starting right tackle Spencer Brown (back) worked to the side for the first time during camp. He remains on the physically unable to perform list. Other players not participating in practice because of injuries were LBs Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams, WRs Curtis Samuel and Kaden Prather, OL Sedrick Van Pran-Granger and K Tyler Bass. And there were vet rest days for LT Dion Dawkins, DE Greg Rousseau and DT DaQuan Jones.
RT Spencer Brown (back) working to the side for the first time in camp. LB Dorian Williams (calf) over on the side field with him. pic.twitter.com/uFi3Cr2wVy
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) July 31, 2025
Tuesday, July 29
Bills rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston suffered what teammate Dane Jackson described as a "non-contact" injury to his lower right leg during a "kind of little freak, little trip-up" situation during individual drills in the first half of Tuesday's practice. The first-round pick had his arm over head athletic trainer Nate Breske's shoulders as he limped slowly to the medical tent. He did not return to practice and there has been no update on the situation.
Hairston was practicing with the cornerbacks on the side field, where the defense goes during individual drills. Hairston laid on the ground while Breske worked on his right leg near his knee. He was then helped up by Breske with cornerbacks Christian Benford and Tre'Davious White coming over to speak to him and hug Hairston before he was supported off.
"I was upset, because that's somebody that's like a pure-hearted kid, somebody that you work with off the field so much, you put in so much time with 'em and then they fall like that, something happen to 'em," Benford said. "... You never want that to happen. You never want to see that happen. You don't even pray that on your worst enemies."
The defensive backs shared that a prayer was said for Hairston after practice. The rookie has been competing with White for the starting job next to Benford. White has received first-team reps during camp thus far.
DC Bobby Babich came to check on him. Now walking off with Breske pic.twitter.com/qmRdhtiGOs
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) July 29, 2025
The Bills are dealing with an onslaught of injuries with a much-needed off day on Wednesday. One positive was tight end Dalton Kincaid returning after missing one day with left knee soreness. Kincaid said his knee is "feeling good" and they were "being cautious" with it being early in camp.
Some new players missing from practice due to injuries were offensive lineman Mike Edwards (heat related), WR KJ Hamler (heat related), OL Alec Anderson (knee), and DT DeWayne Carter (illness). DT Larry Ogunjobi had a veteran rest day.
S Cole Bishop went into the medical tent during practice and while he returned to the field, he did not again take part in team drills.
LB Matt Milano has put together a strong camp overall coming off consecutive seasons of significant injuries. He intercepted QB Josh Allen during 11-on-11 drills.
White has made a couple nice plays in recent practices, including a pass breakup on a ball intended for wide receiver Joshua Palmer. Palmer had a bit of a step on him, but White got his arm in the right spot.
Undrafted free agent WR Stephen Gosnell was among the players receiving opportunities with others out due to injury, and his day included a long catch on a ball from Allen in the end zone. He spiked the ball in celebration.
Monday, July 28
Injuries are piling up early in camp for the Bills. Coach Sean McDermott listed 11 players as not participating in Monday's training camp practice due to injury. Among the players now dealing with injury are tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee soreness) and kicker Tyler Bass (pelvis area soreness) after some missed kicks on Sunday. Kincaid was out at a portion of practice with a wrap on his left leg after he dealt with a left knee injury that impacted him late last season. It's unclear if this injury is related to the previous one, but it's something to monitor.
Monday was also the team's first camp practice in pads -- ending cleanly, with no dirty plays. Such a feat was emphasized by McDermott after a couple of dicey moments in earlier sessions, including offensive lineman Alec Anderson being removed from Friday's practice due to a fight.
"I want to see nasty, physical football, but I don't want to see a disrespect for a man's career and dirty football," McDermott said. "That's not how we play in Buffalo. So we painted a pretty clear picture this morning of what that looks like for the new players in particular. So that nastiness has to be developed here, but it can't be at the expense of someone's career. So clean, but physical."
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Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi said the defense had been ready for contact and while there are things to clean up from the first day in pads, "I think we're right on track."
Anderson went to the medical tent during practice. He was gesturing to his lower body with athletic trainers. A couple other players received treatment due to the heat, including OL Mike Edwards.
CB Christian Benford continues to put together strong days, consistently showing why the Bills signed him to a contract extension this offseason. Among his impressive reps in 1-on-1 drills was when WR Khalil Shakir had appeared to catch a well-thrown ball from QB Josh Allen, however, Benford knocked it out of his hands as he tried to complete the play. Benford also got into it a bit verbally with the talkative KJ Hamler when they went up against each other, but nothing came of the back and forth. The pair have a good relationship, working against each other often.
McDermott said that WR Tyrell Shavers will "be back in a couple days, I believe, if everything goes as planned," after suffering a low right ankle injury on Sunday that looked significant but ended up being relatively on the minor side
Sunday, July 27
The Bills finished Sunday's practice with a red zone period, and on the final play, wide receiver Tyrell Shavers made a touchdown catch with rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston in coverage. Hairston made slight contact with Shavers at the end of the play. Shavers rolled to the ground and then was visibly in pain, grabbing his right ankle. Athletic trainers quickly surrounded Shavers with much of the team joining as he was evaluated. Shavers was taken off the field on the back of a cart. A source said that Shavers is "doing fine" and has a low ankle sprain.
"[Shavers] ran an under shallow route," Hairston said. "That's just us competing. Me being a corner, not trying to allow the receiver to catch the ball."
Shavers, who was on the team's practice squad last season, was putting together a strong camp, competing for a 53-man roster spot. Hairston said that cornerbacks coach Jahmile Addae communicated with him after the play to "just be smart. We know we're in practice, but at the end of the day we're competing, but this our teammates. Just to be smart on the finish."
Wide receiver injuries are among the early camp themes. Curtis Samuel missed practice with a hamstring injury. Samuel started Friday's practice participating but then sat out a good amount of the session. Receiver Elijah Moore is also dealing with general leg soreness.
Linebacker Terrel Bernard also missed Sunday's practice with a hamstring injury.
Nickel corner Taron Johnson had a veteran rest day.
DE AJ Epenesa (ankle) returned to practice on Sunday after missing a couple days.
Friday, July 25
Ahead of Buffalo Bills practice on Friday, defensive coordinator Bobby Babich said that "in two days we have one takeaway -- which we are not happy with." Babich was also wearing a hat with the phrase, "Take It Away" on the front.
Starting safety Taylor Rapp changed that in a big way with an interception during 7-on-7 drills off quarterback Josh Allen and another off Allen during the team period.
"[Rapp's] gonna lay his body out," cornerback Tre'Davious White said. "As you guys can see, he don't give a damn. He's gonna hit, he's gonna talk and he's gonna be there each and every play. Definitely a resilient guy."
Free agent addition defensive end Michael Hoecht noted that it is still early in camp and limitations on what defenders can do make turnovers at this time difficult, however, emphasized there are no excuses. And for a Bills team that was third in the league in takeaways last season, "[Takeaways are] going to be an emphasis and it'll be an emphasis the entire season," Hoecht said.
Three new players did not participate in Friday's practice -- DE AJ Epenesa (ankle), LB Dorian Williams (calf) and WR David White Jr. (excused for personal reasons). Epenesa and Williams left practice early the day prior. Both were in attendance at the sessions with Williams wearing a short boot on his right foot.
OL Alec Anderson left practice early after being involved in the first skirmish of camp with DE Hayden Harris.
WR Curtis Samuel did not participate in a good portion of practice after starting the day participating. He spent time talking to athletic trainers.
The backup right tackle competition continues with Spencer Brown sidelined with a back injury. Tylan Grable and Ryan Van Demark are exchanging periods with Grable often getting the first first-team reps.
Thursday, July 24
Through two days, the presence of "Hard Knocks" is visible all over training camp and has certainly been noted by players and coaches. Quarterback Josh Allen, who is watching some of what he says, said he'll "try not to cuss as much. I mean, I know it's HBO, so I'm sure it goes on there. At the same time, you know, just making sure that, you know, my mom, anything that I say my mom would be OK with it."
Left tackle Dion Dawkins has welcomed the extra attention the show will bring when it premiers on Aug. 5, saying on Thursday that he loves having the cameras around.
Coach Sean McDermott also noted the positives of bringing the extra attention in. "They see us on game day, now they get a chance to see that what we do on Sunday is exactly what we do Monday through Saturday," McDermott said. "And I think that's the cool piece about it. The increased noise, if you will, is maybe in some ways good practice for us to really hone in and focus and get our focus where it needs to be."
DE AJ Epenesa and LB Dorian Williams left practice early with injuries. The severity is unclear on both.
Epenesa was also involved in a brief moment when he punched the helmet of rookie tight end Jackson Hawes when Hawes was continuing to push defenders after the completion of a play and with Dawkins having fallen to the ground. There was no retaliation or larger fight from the punch.
Wide receiver Keon Coleman had an improved second day of camp after a tough first day in largely red zone periods. Coleman caught a number of passes in the middle of the field from Allen on an improved day from the offense overall during 11-on-11 periods. His continued progression over a longer stretch is something to monitor.
DE Joey Bosa did not participate in team drills on Thursday as the team works on keeping him healthy for the long haul.
Wednesday, July 23
The Bills' first training camp session notably featured a fully-participating running back James Cook thus continuing his trend from mandatory minicamp. Cook seeks a contract extension as he is in the final year of his rookie deal. General manager Brandon Beane did not provide an update on any negotiations, but re-affirmed the team's "love" towards Cook.
"Sometimes you can't get on the same page or sometimes you're trying to fit it in. There's times guys have left here that we really wanted. We just couldn't make it work. But I can tell you, I'm hopeful, when we're sitting here at next year's training camp that James Cook is out there practicing and still representing the red, white and blue."
Wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. did not participate in practice due to a lower leg strain.
Defensive end Joey Bosa said his calf injury that limited him during the offseason work is "no issue anymore." Bosa added that "I was feeling good weeks ago, so I was able to get a full offseason in and train really hard."
Tuesday, July 22
Bills veterans reported to camp Tuesday ahead of the team's first practice Wednesday. As players underwent physicals, a number of transactions were made. Tight end Dawson Knox was placed on the non-football injury list, while right tackle Spencer Brown and offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran-Granger were placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, meaning all three will miss some practice.
With those injuries in mind, tight end Matt Sokol was signed to the roster, in addition to wide receiver David White Jr., while punter Jake Camarda and wide receiver Kelly Akharaiyi were released. The only punter on the roster is Brad Robbins.
Running back James Cook did report with the team's veterans on schedule as he said he anticipated doing during minicamp. His attendance comes amidst a desire for a contract extension. Cook fully participated in the team's mandatory minicamp.