Glenn returns

Bills LT Cordy Glenn, who has been sidelined on the Non-Football Illness list had that designation lifted Saturday and participated in practice on a limited basis. According to head coach Doug Marrone that’s going to be the case for a while moving forward.

“Cordy’s not back yet and that may be a long time,” said Marrone. “Cordy is a very good football player. We’re going to take it very, very slowly to see how he comes back in the first couple days. We will just do a little bit on the side and a little bit individual. You won’t see him participating in any team for a while. Then we’ll see how he responds because I really don’t know.”

Glenn did line up with the first unit at left tackle during the walk through, but only did individual position drills.

For Glenn it’s a process he’s willing to be patient with.

“It was frustrating not being out here with the fellas and not working every day with them,” Glenn said. “I’m back now and just trying to knock the rust off a little bit.”

When asked if he has a timetable for his return to full action in practice Glenn made it sound like how he comes through the first few days back will determine the course of his return.

“I don’t really know any details or anything. I’m just taking it day by day right now,” he said. “There’s still a little bit of time, but I’m just focused on trying to help the team out and getting back comfortable here again.”

Active hands

Buffalo’s defenders demonstrated active hands in the passing lanes in Friday night’s win over Carolina logging six pass breakups including a pair for interceptions. In practice Saturday their hands were active again.

CB Michael Carter had a pass breakup on a Thad Lewis pass during 7-on-7.

Nickell Robey matched up against the much bigger Marcus Easley managed to slip underneath the receiver to knock a pass away on a slant.

CB Ross Cockrell foiled a pass attempt to the goal line that was intended for Mike Williams late in 7-on-7

LB Jimmy Gaines batted a pass near the line of scrimmage during 7-on-7 red zone that fell incomplete.

And Da’Norris Searcy, who had an interception in Friday’s game, tipped a pass over the middle that was taken the other way by Nigel Bradham.

For the secondary as a whole there’s a fervent internal competition to have the most pass breakups, interceptions and other key defensive statistics during training camp.

“It definitely is a competition amongst us,” said Robey. “It’s all about being accountable. Just making sure you’re doing your job and at the same time competing for interceptions and sacks, all that stuff. We want to make it as competitive as possible, but at the same time fun.”

Juggling guards

At the outset of camp there was a regular rotation of players at the right guard position with Marrone declaring the starting role an open competition on that side of the line. On Saturday the rotation flipped to the left side of the line. That’s because Chris Williams was sidelined with a back injury suffered in Friday night’s game.

Rotation at LG continues. Back to Richardson. #Bills
— Chris Brown (@ChrisBrownBills) August 9, 2014

Fifth-round pick Cyril Richardson, who has been part of the right guard competition flipped to the left side with the first unit. As practice wore on, Antoine McClain, who has been the second team left guard throughout camp rotated in with the first unit. The two went back and forth between the first and second units the entire practice during 11-on-11 work.

Opportunity knocks

With a host of players out with bumps and bruises from Friday’s game some younger players stepped in to fill the void at several positions besides the aforementioned left guard spot.

Ross Cockrell stepped in at left cornerback for some snaps with Leodis McKelvin still sidelined and Corey Graham seeing a bit more work in the slot Friday. Preston Brown was in at middle linebacker to let Brandon Spikes see fewer reps with the second unit.

Duke Williams and Da’Norris Searcy were the top safety pairing during team periods with Aaron Williams rotating back with the second unit.

CB Kamaal McIlwain rotated up with the second unit with Cockrell moving up to the first. Mario Butler also saw second team reps with Ron Brooks sidelined.

S Deon Broomfield got work with the second unit on defense in place of the injured Jonathan Meeks.