Buffalo Bills DL T.J. Sanders returned to the practice field on Thursday for the first time since his appendectomy nine days prior. The 23-year-old shared how the need for surgery came to be with the media, eventually forcing him to miss last week's game.
"Everything was feeling good for me to come out and play in Week 3, and then I just woke up Tuesday, and my stomach was just twisting," Sanders said. "I remember waking up at five in the morning, like, 'What's going on?' So I called early, and they said, 'We're gonna have a scan.'"
"I'm doing treatment; I'm about to head home, and they tell me, 'Oh, your appendix is inflamed; You've got to go get surgery,'" Sanders added. "And I'm like, 'Surgery? When?' They're like, 'Right now.' It was crazy."
Sanders shared with the media that he felt good at practice on Thursday leading into this weekend's tilt with the New England Patriots. He was a limited participant, but playing any football less than two weeks after surgery was something he was excited about.
"I was tired of waiting," Sanders said.
The former 2025 second-round draft pick has yet to suit up in a regular season game so far this season. Last year, Sanders appeared in 12 games as a rookie, tallying 16 total tackles.
With the Bills Week 4 matchup against the Patriots just three days away, Sanders is doing all he can to hopefully be ready to go by kickoff. Thursday was a nice step in the right direction, continuing to feel closer to 100% as each day passes.
"I felt like almost myself today, which is a good step forward, I feel like," Sanders said. "I felt like I was flying around, moving good. Didn't really have pain anywhere. Everything just felt good. Everything felt natural.
"I'm close. I just feel like one more day on the field with the guys, that should do it. That first day back, you just want to see where you're at, and [on Friday], I'll probably press the gas a little bit more."
Thursday Injury Update
WR Keon Coleman (ankle) was limited on Thursday after missing Wednesday's practice. DL Deone Walker (quad) and LB Joe Andreessen (knee) were both full participants after a limited day to start the week.
CB Christian Benford (toe) missed his second day of practice in a row. WR DJ Moore and S Damar Hamlin were both limited, sporting non-contact jerseys on Thursday. DB Sam Franklin Jr. missed practice for personal reasons.
Swipe to see the best photos from the Buffalo Bills practice at the Kaleida Health Performance Center in Orchard Park, NY.
Jude Bowry (74). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Stephen Gosnell (89). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Stephen Gosnell (89). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Pete Carmichael. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dee Alford (23). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keonta Jenkins (49). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Cole Bishop (24). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Phidarian Mathis (72). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Will Greenberg. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Craig Robertson. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Davison Igbinosun (21). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson (22). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Cole Bishop (24). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Maxwell Hairston (1). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson (22). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Bo Hardegree. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17), Bo Hardegree, Shane Buechele (6), Kyle Allen (11). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Kyle Allen (11), Shane Buechele (6), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Shane Buechele (6). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Stephen Gosnell (89). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Jackson Hawes (85). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Brock Lampe (45). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Trent Sherfield (18). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Skyler Bell (13). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ja'Mori Maclin (84). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Joshua Palmer (5). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Trent Sherfield (18). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Skyler Bell (13). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ja'Mori Maclin (84). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Brock Lampe (45). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Brock Lampe (45). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Jackson Hawes (85). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Chase Lundt (77). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Chase Lundt (77). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Michael Hoecht (55). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Michael Hoecht (55). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Michael Hoecht (55). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Greg Rousseau (15). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Kyle Allen (11). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Shane Buechele (6). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Connor McGovern (66). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
James Cook (4), Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Football. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Tommy Doman Jr. (39), Reid Ferguson (69). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson (22). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Team. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Tommy Doman Jr. (39), Tyler Bass (16). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Tyler Bass (16). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Tyler Bass (16). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Austin Corbett (63). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Javon Solomon (56). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Helmet. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Helmet. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Helmet. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Brock Lampe (45). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Trent Sherfield (18). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Geno Stone (25). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Geno Stone (25). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ray Davis (7). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
T.J. Sanders (98). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr (52), Dee Alford (23). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr (52). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mike Danna (51). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Maxwell Hairston (1). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Helmet. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Jude Bowry (74). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Jude Bowry (74), Ar'maj Reed-Adams (60), Chase Lundt (77), Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Chase Lundt (77). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Jude Bowry (74). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Te'Cory Couch (33). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Davison Igbinosun (21). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17), Bo Hardegree, Shane Buechele (6), Kyle Allen (11). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Joshua Palmer (5). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keleki Latu (83). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mike Danna (51). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
TJ Parker (99), Javon Solomon (56). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
TJ Parker (99), Javon Solomon (56). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Greg Rousseau (15). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Team. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Kani Walker (41). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Kani Walker (41). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Travis Clayton (67). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ja'Mori Maclin (84). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Zane Durant (92). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Jay Valai. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Joe Danna. Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dee Alford (23). Buffalo Bills Week 4 Practice, October 01, 2026 at Kaleida Health Performance Center.
