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Top 3 things to know from Buffalo Bills Practice | Aug. 19

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The Bills were back at One Bills Drive for their first practice of the week on Tuesday afternoon. Buffalo is preparing for its final preseason game against Tampa Bay on Saturday night.

Here are three things to know from Tuesday's practice.

1 — "Everyone's still in competition." | The safety battle continues

Position battles are heating up with the preseason coming to a close. One position that's still in the thick of a competition is safety. Safety Taylor Rapp is not a part of that group because the veteran is preparing for his second full season as a Bills starter.

Head coach Sean McDermott said the coaching staff is looking for the safety opposite of Rapp to be one who shows consistency from practices to games.

"I think we're looking for that other safety to play alongside T-Rapp," McDermott said. "There's been really good moments for all those guys back there, young and some of the more veteran guys that are back there that have played for us. But I think, we're still looking to find who is it going to be, right? And how consistent can they become, how quickly can they grow if they're a younger player?"

Those fighting for the job – Damar Hamlin, Cole Bishop, Darrick Forrest and Tre Herndon. Rookie defensive back Jordan Hancock has spent time at multiple secondary positions this training camp, including safety.

Bishop was sidelined for part of training camp and missed the first preseason game due to a quad injury. The safety, who was drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, is now a full participant at practice and saw action in the second preseason game. As the sophomore player battles for the job, McDermott wants him to take it one step at a time.

"It's just been a short runway to this point," McDermott said of Bishop. "He continues to improve…He has shown to this point that the ability, the skill level, can be there. We're just not there yet. And so, his refining process, if you will, goes one day at a time, one rep at a time. We're just kind of getting started because of what wasn't with his availability."

As Bishop gets back in the fold, Darrick Forrest, who signed with the Bills on a one-year deal in March, is working his hardest to feel comfortable in a new defense.

"What I've seen from D. Fo is continued improvement," McDermott shared. "And continued understanding of what we're doing, whether it's defense in this case, or special teams. I feel good about him, and I look forward to watching them this week and in the game."

Forrest's best season as a pro came in 2022 when he had four interceptions with Washington. When it comes to evaluating each safety, McDermott doesn't want to jump to conclusions too early.

"There's a lot of players over the years who have come on incrementally, and then that last preseason game, they really blossom," McDermott said. "I've just learned over the years not to sell anybody short."

Rapp doesn't want to do that either. As one of the leaders in the safety room, McDermott said he's done a great job of setting a good example and cheering on those in his unit.

"He's been steady. That's T-Rapp," McDermott said of his veteran safety. "He's incredibly routine-focused, and he goes about his business…He's just a unique person in the way that he embraces his teammates, all of them, not just the guy that's playing alongside of him. And he was on that journey in his career earlier, so I think he can relate and that helps build that rapport with multiple guys back there."

2 — Injury updates ahead of Preseason Week 3

Several Bills players are still working through injuries as the team continues training camp in Buffalo. Head coach Sean McDermott announced prior to Tuesday's practice that five players will not practice.

"OL Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (calf), CB Maxwell Hairston (sprain), WR Khalil Shakir (high ankle sprain), DB Jordan Hancock (shoulder), LB Keonta Jenkins (ankle) will not practice," said McDermott.

Also missing practice reps is OL Tylan Grable due to concussion protocol.

There are also players who are expected to be limited to just individual drills or the number of reps they are allowed to have during practice.

McDermott said these players are expected to be limited; OL Alec Anderson (knee), WR Curtis Samuel (hamstring), LB Shaq Thompson (hamstring), K Tyler Bass (pelvis), OL Connor McGovern (hamstring), RB Nelson Ceaser (shoulder), LB Edefuan Ulofoshio (toe), S Cam Lewis (calf), and DE Javon Solomon (wrist).

"So some of that means getting a small amount of reps. Some of that means individual (drills) only," said McDermott.

McDermott said these players are expected to be limited; OL Alec Anderson (knee), WR Curtis Samuel (hamstring), LB Shaq Thompson (hamstring), K Tyler Bass (pelvis), OL Connor McGovern (hamstring), RB Nelson Ceaser (shoulder), LB Edefuan Ulofoshio (toe), S Cam Lewis (calf), and DE Javon Solomon (wrist).

"So some of that means getting a small amount of reps. Some of that means individual (drills) only," said McDermott.

With Week 1 right around the corner, McDermott is seeing progress among the injured players. One of the players McDermott mentioned is the Buffalo Bills' first round pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, cornerback Maxwell Hairston; there is still no firm timetable on Hairston's return to play.

"Really trying to still get a feel for exactly what we're dealing with in terms of when we can start to push a little bit more without affecting his healing," shared McDermott. "So it's probably more medical than I'm certified to describe, but I get the vibe that we are moving in the right direction."

On the other side of the ball, wide receiver Khalil Shakir's journey back from his high ankle sprain has been on an upward climb.

"No setbacks… we didn't take him on the trip this past weekend, because it's best with our resources here for him to stay here in rehab. He continues to rehab, and the goal is to get him back as soon as possible. Whether that's the end of this week, beginning of next, somewhere next week. It remains to be seen,"added McDermott.

With the last preseason game coming up this Saturday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, McDermott hopes to see kicker Tyler Bass return to action. Bass has missed the last two preseason games.

"We have a schedule that's been laid out with his rehab as well, and he's going to inch towards coming back this week. That's the vision for T-Bass, including today, tomorrow, kicking on the side. Not with the team, but starting Thursday. If all goes well according to plan, he will kick with the team, and then hopefully go into the game this week," shared McDermott.

Scroll to see the best photos from Day 16 of the 2025 Buffalo Bills Training Camp at the Buffalo Bills Training Center in Orchard Park. This gallery is presented by Connors & Ferris, LLP.

3 — McDermott & Allen evaluate WR depth

As decisions for the team's 53-man roster near, one room being watched closely is the wide receiver room. Head coach Sean McDermott feels comfortable with the team's top three receivers and is looking to further evaluate the other receivers.

"We've got a number of guys… I think we got a pretty good feel for (wide receivers) 1-2-3, but who's 4-5-6. It's trying to figure out who the rest of them are and how they can help us — not only on offense, but on special teams — and how we can ensure, knock on wood, if someone goes down, we have the right person. Profile, size, speed, whatever it is to make sure we don't drop too far," McDermott said.

At this point, the wide receiver room is made up of 12 guys all competing for roster spots, and quarterback Josh Allen believes getting good reps with any QB will continue to help their chances.

"Any and all reps are beneficial. Going out there and executing a play to the best of their abilities — making sure they're lined up right, running the right route and doing what they're paid to do, which is catch the ball. It doesn't matter who's at the quarterback position," Allen said.

Allen has embraced having receivers in and out of the lineup and believes it's not difficult, but instead feels it challenges him to be a better quarterback.

"They can test your skills, because you're throwing to different bodies, different speeds, different movements," Allen said. "Some guys are faster, some guys are slower, some guys are bigger, some guys are smaller. And we're asking them to run the same routes. And if you've got a 6-foot-4 guy running the same route as a 5-foot-10 guy, the ball is going to be a little bit different."

Knowing that all the receivers are putting in work ahead of roster decisions, Allen is appreciative of the time he's spent throwing with them throughout camp.

"I get to throw to some guys that maybe I wouldn't have if things were different, but it's good to see guys step up. We've got a lot of young guys that are smart football players and going in there and doing the best that they can," Allen said.

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