The Buffalo Bills wrapped up their final practice ahead of the regular-season opener against the Houston Texans on Friday.
Here's what we learned as game day continues to grow closer.
Buffalo's tackles are ready for a tough matchup against Houston's edge rushers
The Texans' pass rush has been a key talking point ever since last season, with an impressive front that included two players who finished inside the top 10 in sacks (Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr.).
Against the Bills in last year's meeting the duo combined for 4.5 sacks, with eight total as a team. Buffalo's starting tackles are looking forward to the opportunity to redeem themselves this Sunday afternoon.
"When you get your behind kicked, you don't forget it," left tackle Dion Dawkins said. "It happens, playing against elite rushers and elite teams. It's good that the competition is there, but now, it's round two."
Both Bills tackles were less than 100% in last year's 23-19 loss to Houston, entering this matchup with a full bill of health. With each team on an even playing field, QB Josh Allen's protectors are ready to take on one of the league's biggest challenges.
Having the grudge match come in Week 1 allows them to get into the flow of the regular season, understanding that they have to be at the top of their game right out of the gate.
"When you're going against those types of edge guys, I mean, those are the best of the best, or at least top five in the NFL right now," right tackle Spencer Brown said. "So it's a good test to see where you're at, and it's early, so you know, you get it out of the way and then roll from there."
The tackle duo knows the eyes will be on them on Sunday, excited for the chance to showcase all of their offseason preparation for Bills Mafia to see on game day.
"You play to be at your best, you play to play against the best, and you play the game to really be amongst the greats," Dawkins said.
Added Brown, "They're an aggressive front, and I look forward to the challenge."
Jim Leonhard finally gets to unveil his defense
On the other side of the ball, Buffalo's defense is set to hit the field for the first time in a regular season game under defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. The unit had success in the preseason, but didn't empty the whole bag of tricks, saving some of it for the games that matter.
"You had the preseason where we got to work on some things, really evaluate the talent, scheme, pretty straightforward, a little bit watered down from what we want to do," Leonhard said. "And now it's time to go. I love competitive football. You get to the regular season, and it's time to throw everything out there and ride it till the wheels fall off."
As much as Leonhard was tactical in keeping some things off of the preseason film, he knows that opposing offenses will have a general understanding of his scheme.
"I'm not kidding myself thinking that we're gonna go in there and totally surprise the team with what we are," Leonhard said. "But again, I think we both know that there are things that haven't been put on tape."
One thing he was able to fully establish in the preseason was where to call games from, trying it from both the sideline and up in a box. Heading into the regular season, he's decided that being on the sideline with the team is what he'll go with.
"I'm gonna be down on the field," Leonhard said. "I see the benefits of both. There's definitely some benefits of being up in the box. But I feel more comfortable being on the sideline and being able to have direct communication with the players, with the coaches and kind of feel the energy and the excitement on the sideline. I think that helps me call plays."
Ty Johnson returns to the practice field
After being sidelined for over a month with a hamstring injury, running back Ty Johnson returned to practice on Friday ahead of the regular season. Head coach Joe Brady listed Johnson as questionable to play against the Texans.
Being back out there was huge for Johnson, preparing to hopefully suit up to kick off the year.
"I felt really good today, being out there, being able to do some handoffs and everything, some ball handling with Josh, catch some routes and everything. So that's really what it feels like I need," he said.
While rehabbing, Johnson has been staying as involved as possible, doing everything he can off the practice field to get himself ready for the year.
"Just being locked in, in the film room. It's a physical game, but it's a mental game as well," Johnson said. "I've been locked in, in meeting rooms with [RB coach Kelly Skipper] and everything, going over literally anything and everything from the game plan, schemes, to just the basic stuff that we were installing during camp. It's really just staying locked in and staying mentally sharp."
Johnson is hoping he can be an asset for his team against Houston's impressive defense, in a game that projects to be a competitive battle.
"I'm feeling good, doing a lot of work and everything," Johnson said. "The trainers and staff have been working with me heavily, so I'm feeling pretty good and doing everything I can."
Swipe to see the best photos from the Buffalo Bills practice at the Kaleida Health Performance Center in Orchard Park, NY.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Frank Gore Jr. (20). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Chase Lundt (77). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Lloyd Cushenberry (53). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mike Danna (51). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mike Danna (51). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Connor McGovern (66). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dee Alford (23). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mike Danna (51). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Geno Stone (25). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
T.J. Sanders (98). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Geno Stone (25). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Jedrick Wills Jr. (71). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
O'Cyrus Torrence (64). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Geno Stone (25). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
O'Cyrus Torrence (64). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Highmark. Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr (52). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Greg Rousseau (15), Bradley Chubb (9), Davison Igbinosun (21). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Greg Rousseau (15), Bradley Chubb (9), Davison Igbinosun (21). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Andre Jones Jr. (59). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Highmark. Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Skyler Bell (13). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Shane Buechele (6). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Shane Buechele (6). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson (22). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson (22). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Cole Bishop (24). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson (22). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson (22). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
T.J. Sanders (98). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
T.J. Sanders (98). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Greg Gaines (97). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Greg Gaines (97). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
T.J. Sanders (98). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Javon Solomon (56). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Javon Solomon (56). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mike Danna (51). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keleki Latu (83). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keleki Latu (83), Jackson Hawes (85), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keon Coleman (0), James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keon Coleman (0), Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17), Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ray Davis (7). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ray Davis (7), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ray Davis (7). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Drew Terrell. Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dion Dawkins (73), Ray Davis (7). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dion Dawkins (73), Ray Davis (7). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr (52), Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Cole Bishop (24), Davison Igbinosun (21). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Cole Bishop (24), Davison Igbinosun (21). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Joe Andreessen (44), Jedrick Wills Jr. (71). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Shane Buechele (6), Austin Corbett (63). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Kyle Allen (11). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Shane Buechele (6). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Greg Rousseau (15), Bradley Chubb (9), TJ Parker (99), Michael Hoecht (55). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dee Alford (23). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dee Alford (23). Buffalo Bills Week 1 Practice, September 11, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
