PRACTICE OBSERVATIONS: BIGGEST DAY OF PRACTICE YET
Playmakers were all over the field for the first full day of padded practices for the Buffalo Bills. Tuesday featured the most snaps of 11-on-11 team reps since the start of camp.
Here's what stood out and what players had to say about the day.
This QB/WR duo remains on fire
Quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver D.J. Moore connected on one of the best plays of camp so far on a 50-yard touchdown pass during a team period. As Moore got behind the Buffalo secondary, Allen uncorked a deep pass to the end zone that initially seemed to be too far out in front but the speedy receiver ran underneath the ball to beat double coverage with a third defender rotating over.
It was a scene that even stunned a player who's been Allen's teammate the last four years.
"When you watch stuff like that, it just feels fake — like how beautiful that play was," said fifth-year wide receiver Khalil Shakir. "D.J. was just gliding. All three DBs are kind of looking like they're really straining to get there, and D.J. is kind of just chilling."
Shakir described the connection between Allen and Moore as "unreal" through the first week of camp.
"Obviously, that probably was the best one, but just the stuff they've done every single day and the growth that's come within that is going to help us win games for sure," he added.
Not only has Moore provided juice on the field but he is someone who has helped Shakir level up his game, too.
"Some of the stuff I've seen him do and the way I've seen him talk about the game is unreal," Shakir said. "Honestly, it's a blessing to be around him and to be able to pick his brain, somebody who's been at the top of our position since he's come into the league."
Deone Walker misses team drills, but expects to be back soon
Second-year defensive lineman Deone Walker didn't participate in 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 team drills for the second consecutive day, but he was able to go through individual drills in pads. Walker shared that he "tweaked" his elbow in practice earlier this week and has worn a sleeve on his left arm the last two days.
Walker shared that he got fitted for a brace and will wear it in practice once it arrives.
"Get a brace on it, and hopefully I'm out here on Thursday," Walker said.
Defensive linemen Phidarian Mathis, DeWayne Carter, T.J. Sanders and Landon Jackson all saw additional reps with the starters during team drills in Walker's absence.
Rookies showcase their physical presence
Tuesday was a successful showing for the Bills rookie defensive players from their 2026 draft class.
Safety Jalen Kilgore recorded an interception early in the day during WR vs. DB 1-on-1 drills. Kilgore ran with fullback Jackson Acker down the sideline and as the ball was coming down into the hands of Acker, the safety ripped the ball away for the INT. Kilgore now has multiple takeaways during camp.
Second-round cornerback Davison Igbinosun had a chance to show off his press man skills during the WR vs. DB drills with matchups against Moore, Skyler Bell and Joshua Palmer. Igbinosun had sticky coverage on nearly all of his reps, including one where he shrugged off a release move from Moore and nearly broke up the short pass.
When the practice switched to 11-on-11, inside linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr had back-to-back standout reps. The first was when he met Ty Johnson in the hole on a run play and swallowed up the RB at the point of contact for a thundering tackle. On the next play, Elarms-Orr snuffed out a screen to Johnson and the play went for no gain.
OLB T.J. Parker mixed in with multiple defensive units and had reps where he displayed his power, knocking back the offensive lineman he was matched up against.
"Got some things to clean up," Parker said. "Got some hand plays and stuff that I've got to work on. Other than that though, it was a good day."
"Showing that we have something to prove"
The fifth practice marked the first one of training camp with pads throughout the duration of the day, with the excitement and intensity kicking up a notch compared to the first four.
"We're one, ready to get out here and actually thump a little bit, but then two, I think it's also showing that we have something to prove and showing that it's going to be a different Bills team this year," offensive lineman Alec Anderson said.
As full team drills got under way, fiery determination from both offense and defense was on full display. On more than one occasion, extra-curricular scuffles continued after the whistle, with the two sides quickly being separated.
"It's a good thing; you need that," wide receiver Khalil Shakir said. "If your team's not fighting, then there's a problem. Especially the first day with full pads, all practice. There should be a new juice, some energy. You should be scrapping, you know. So, it was good to see."
Having the mentality of besting your opponent every snap is something the veteran leaders loved to see this early in the season, while also making sure nothing got too out of control.
"When those pads come on, everybody turns it up a notch," outside linebacker Bradley Chubb said. "At the end of the day, I love the physicality that we're bringing as a team. We've just have to channel it in the right direction. I was saying that you'd rather say 'Chill' than 'Sic 'em.'"
Things may get heated in the moment, but each player understands it's all about team competition and striving for the same goal.
"Iron sharpens iron, and sometimes there's going to be sparks, and people are going to get [upset], and you've got to kind of tussle it out," Anderson said. "But at the end of the day, it's all love."
Inside linebacker room starting to find a groove
Inside linebackers have been an intriguing position group to watch. Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams are both returning from injury, with several other names in the mix to make the 53-man roster.
After missing five games last season, Bernard took part in team drills at Monday's practice, continuing Tuesday in 11-on-11 dreps with full contact. Returning to the field, even just at training camp, has been huge for the fifth-year linebacker, not wanting to take for granted the opportunity he has.
"When the game gets taken from you for a little bit, you kind of have a chance to sit back, and for me, I missed it," Bernard, a defensive captain, said. "… When I'm out there, I'm doing everything that I can to be the best version of myself and help the guy next to me."
Being sidelined has been a tough pill to swallow for Bernard in the past, usually wanting to push through any pain to be available for his team as much as possible. This offseason has given him a chance to not push himself past his limits. As the main veteran in the linebacker room, Bernard knows how valuable the time together at training camp is.
"Building the relationship, that's part of the reason we come out [to St. John Fischer]," Bernard said. "You go to meetings together, you practice together, you spend all day together. And that's a huge part is just building that relationship and building that connection, so when the going gets tough, you know who you've got next to you."
2026 fourth-round selection Kaleb Elarms-Orr is one of the inside linebackers on the roster looking to learn from Bernard and earn himself a key role by the time the regular season rolls around.
Elarms-Orr has been impressive so far in camp and has big goals on his mind.
"You could say fourth round, late pick, whatever," Elarms-Orr said. "I want to play. I'm not trying to just be here and just be a rotational guy and come off the bench; I want to play. I want to lead the defense early on and be able to command the huddle."
As the rest of the defense continues to acclimate to new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard's defense, Elarms-Orr feels a strong connection to both the scheme and coaching style he was drafted into.
"[Leonhard's] a mastermind," Elarms-Orr said. "He's super smart. In the offseason, we were watching film together and getting right. He's a guy, even early on, like pre-draft, when I came here on a visit, who I really connected with, and I really enjoy playing for him."
Scroll to see the best photos from Day 5 of the 2026 Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY. This gallery is presented by ADMAR.
Maxwell Hairston (31). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Ray Davis (7). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Joshua Palmer (5). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Maxwell Hairston (31). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Mike Danna (51). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Maxwell Hairston (31), Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Joshua Palmer (5). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Damar Hamlin (3), Cole Bishop (24). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Skyler Bell (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Bradley Chubb (9). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Frank Gore Jr. (20). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Frank Gore Jr. (20). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Cole Bishop (24). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Geno Stone (25). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Skyler Bell (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Davison Igbinosun (21), Stephen Gosnell (89). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Stephen Gosnell (89). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Davison Igbinosun (21), DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Khalil Shakir (10), Dee Alford (23). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Khalil Shakir (10), Dee Alford (23). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Christian Benford (47), Joshua Palmer (5). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Skyler Bell (13), Davison Igbinosun (21). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Cole Bishop (24). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Keleki Latu (83), Geno Stone (25). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Keleki Latu (83), Geno Stone (25). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Skyler Bell (13), Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
James Cook (4), Kaleb Elarms-Orr (52). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
DJ Moore (2), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17), James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Dorian Williams (42), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Skyler Bell (13), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
DJ Moore (2), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Spencer Brown (79), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Jackson Hawes (85), Trent Sherfield (81). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
DJ Moore (2), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Mike Danna (51). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Jackson Hawes (85). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
D.J. Miller (46). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Te'Cory Couch (33), Trent Sherfield (81). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Ar'maj Reed-Adams (60), Da'Metrius Weatherspoon (76). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Alec Anderson (70), Tylan Grable (68). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Dion Dawkins (73), Mike Danna (51). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Stephen Gosnell (89). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Tyler Bass (16). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Javon Solomon (56). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
O'Cyrus Torrence (64). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Skyler Bell (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Tylan Grable (68). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Maxwell Hairston (31). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Kani Walker (41). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Stephen Gosnell (89). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr (52). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Stephen Gosnell (89). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Bradley Chubb (9). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
TJ Parker (99). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Andre Jones Jr. (59). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Javon Solomon (56). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Frank Gore Jr. (20). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Geno Stone (25). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Kani Walker (41). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Stephen Gosnell (89). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Mecole Hardman Jr. (1). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Keleki Latu (83), Geno Stone (25). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Khalil Shakir (10), Dee Alford (23). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Joshua Palmer (5), Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Skyler Bell (13), Davison Igbinosun (21). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Skyler Bell (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Mecole Hardman Jr. (1). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Te'Cory Couch (33). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17), Terrel Bernard (8). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Damar Hamlin (3), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Davison Igbinosun (21). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
James Cook (4), Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Trent Sherfield (81). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Ian Wheeler (27). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Mike Danna (51). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
D.J Miller (46). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Alec Anderson (70), Austin Corbett (63). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Ar'maj Reed-Adams (60), Da'Metrius Weatherspoon (76). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Dion Dawkins (73), Austin Corbett (63), Josh Allen (17), Ty Johnson (26), O'Cyrus Torrence (64). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Ty Johnson (26), Kaleb Elarms-Orr (52). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Ray Davis (7). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Dawson Knox (88), Kaleb Elarms-Orr (52). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Ian Wheeler (27). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Keleki Latu (83), Dante Pettis (87). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Dante Pettis (87), Shane Buechele (6). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Maxwell Hairston (31), Jay Valai. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Mac Dalena (82). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Khalil Shakir (10), Trent Sherfield (81). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Jackson Acker (40), Keleki Latu (83). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Landon Jackson (94). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Jackson Acker (40). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Maxwell Hairston (31). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
Skyler Bell (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 04, 2026 at St. John Fisher University.
