The Buffalo Bills opened rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston's 21-day practice window, head coach Sean McDermott announced Wednesday.
"One day at a time I think is the right approach right now," McDermott said.
Hairston sustained a right knee injury during training camp and was placed on injured reserve on Aug. 26, requiring the rookie to miss the first four weeks of the season. Before his injury, the cornerback was vying for the starting CB2 position opposite Christian Benford.
McDermott said he wants to manage expectations for Hairston following his return as he adjusts mentally and physically.
"He's missed a lot of time, a lot of football. A lot of affirmation of, 'Hey, yes. That's what they want. That's how it's supposed to look.' Or, 'I've got to do a better job,'" McDermott said. "It's a journey and I know managing expectations is important for us and him as well."
Hairston was a first-round, 30th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Kentucky. As a redshirt junior in 2024, he started in seven games and logged 19 tackles, two forced fumbles, one sack, and one interception.
Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and defensive end Michael Hoecht will also practice in full on Wednesday after their six-game suspensions. McDermott said, like Hairston, expectations for Ogunjobi and Hoecht will be managed and assessed as they integrate.
"There's a certainly a conditioning piece. There's a physical piece to it as well. And then there's a schematic piece to it also," McDermott said. "So just trying to manage expectations and just take it one step at a time right now, one day at a time."
Additional Injury Updates:
McDermott also provided an injury updates on defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, wide receiver Joshua Palmer and safety Taylor Rapp. All three will not practice on Wednesday.
Jones and Palmer are week-to-week, according to McDermott, and he said he's not sure if there's a possibility of injured reserve for either. Rapp — who has yet to miss a game this season — is dealing with a knee injury lingering from training camp. McDermott said it's yet to be determined if Rapp is day-to-day or week-to-week.
Linebacker Matt Milano, tight end Dalton Kincaid, wide receiver Curtis Samuel and linebacker Terrel Bernard will be limited on Wednesday.
