Skip to main content
Advertising

NEWS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Top 3 things to know from Day 7 of Bills Training Camp | 2025

Top3Day7

The Bills went through the final practice before Friday's Return of the Blue & Red scrimmage at Highmark Stadium. Here are the top 3 things to know from the day.

1 — How the Bills will handle Maxwell Hairston's absence

Because Sean McDermott is not scheduled to speak to the media until Sunday, there was not a formal announcement by the team regarding the status of first-round rookie CB Maxwell Hairston who left Tuesday's practice with a non-contact leg injury.

A Wednesday report from NFL Network shared that Hairston avoided worst case scenario and did not tear his ACL. However, the corner is still expected to miss some time.

Babich shared that other cornerbacks, including rookie Dorian Strong and veteran Dane Jackson will get additional reps while Hairston is out. Missing training camp practice reps as a rookie is never ideal, but the Bills do have a plan to keep Hairston in the loop as he recovers.

"We certainly have walk throughs. We have things that he can do during practice, and those types of things when he's available," Babich said. "But it's hard to simulate game speed. You can't simulate the physicality of the NFL. So certainly, going to be an adjustment period there, but we'll have a plan."

The Bills will also lean on CB Tre'Davious White who has seen a lot of reps at the No. 2 corner spot since arriving at St John Fisher. Earlier in camp, Babich noticed that White is as confident as ever on and off the field.

"Tre's on a mission right now," Babich said.

White echoed that confidence last week when asked if he can win the No. 2 corner spot.

"I feel like my work speaks for itself. The work that I put in, I put a lot of hard work into it. I worked extremely hard," White said. "It's not going to be a surprise to me or nobody that's seen my work. And I pride myself on putting my best foot forward."

As we wait further clarification on the timeline of Hairston's injury, the Bills are anticipating their cornerback depth to get extended looks in practice.

"I really love the competition in that room and the depth in that room," Babich said. "There's a lot of skins on the wall in that room, per se, and there's a lot of youth that we're excited about. I've said it before; we don't flinch like the next man up."

2 — Red Zone work an emphasis

The Bills devoted much of the day to red zone situations during team periods. TE Dawson Knox practiced for this first time this camp but did not participate in live team plays. WR Elijah Moore returned to practice after missing recently with leg soreness.

DT DeWayne Carter, WR KJ Hamler, WR Tyrel Shavers also returned, while S Cole Bishop and CB Maxwell Hairston did not participate due to injury. LT Dion Dawkins, DT DaQuan Jones and DE Greg Rousseau had a veteran rest day.

The day began with 7 on 7s in the red zone and QB Josh Allen threw three touchdowns to three different receivers. The first TD was one of Allen's best throws of the day as he rifled a ball to the back of the end zone to WR Keon Coleman who out-muscled CB Dane Jackson for the score. Shortly after, Allen had short touchdown completions to FB Reggie Gilliam and TE Zach Davidson.

Safety Taylor Rapp made a noteworthy play for the defense, breaking up a would-be touchdown in the back of the end zone intended for Davidson.

In the first session of full 11 on 11 plays, Allen once again found Coleman for a touchdown as the second-year player was left uncovered down the sideline on a miscommunication leading to an easy score. DT Ed Oliver made a splash play with a QB sack and RB Ray Davis ended the period with aa 15-yard touchdown run.

WR Kristian Wilkerson had a standout day as he made a diving catch on a throw from QB Mike White and later caught a five-yard TD from Allen during low red zone work.

Also in the low red zone area, WR Khalil Shakir and TE Dalton Kincaid had a touchdown reception from Allen, RBs James Cook and Ty Johnson each had a rushing score. TE Jackson Hawes had a TD catch but it was called back due to an illegal pick play.

3 — Trying to get 1% better' | T.J. Sanders on growing at camp

Second-round draft pick defensive tackle T.J. Sanders has been learning the ins and outs of his first training camp, realizing that the defense that DC Bobby Babich is teaching him keeps him on his toes.

"I feel like every day I'm growing. We are putting new things in every day. I'm just trying to get adjusted. And I feel like I've been doing a pretty good job of that, and physically too… just trying to take everything one step at a time," stated Sanders.

Sanders' physicality at camp has been noticed with Sanders helping anchor the interior and playing hard even when double-teamed. Practices for Sanders have been exciting when he has an explosive get-off and is able to get pressure on the quarterbacks, but to thrive in this scheme, Babich wants to see him continue to get better.

"What we're looking for in him is consistency, day in and day out, and really, like I said earlier, it's just reading your key, use your technique, and we'll go from there, but we've got to make sure there's enough leeway for him to use his God-given ability, which there's ability there," added Babich.

Leaning on veteran defensive tackle Ed Oliver has been what has helped him grow the most throughout camp.

"I'm always in his (Ed's) ear, and there's no question I've asked him that he didn't have an answer to. He's just been a great vet for me to lean on. He's got a lot of experience," shared Sanders.

While at the University of South Carolina, Sanders played in 39 games with 16 starts, recording 109 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. In 2024, he was named first-team All-SEC and third-team All-American, and was also the SEC Interior Defender of the Year. That success was paired with an approach he is also leaning on now in camp.

"Just coming in every day, trying to get 1% better. It's a thing I prided myself on since college, coming in and just having something, a plan to get better and be detailed every day," said Sanders.

With the Return of Blue and Red practice Friday, Sanders is ready to step on the field and get physical. It will be his first time playing at Highmark Stadium.

"I'm excited, I'm juiced, I'm anxious. Just ready to get out there," shared Sanders.

Scroll to see the best photos from Day 7 of the 2025 Buffalo Bills Training Camp Practice. This gallery is presented by Connors & Ferris, LLP.

Related Content

Advertising