The Buffalo Bills returned to Orchard Park on Monday for the next phase of training camp. The Bills will practice at the Kaleida Health Performance Center this week as they get ready for Saturday's home preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.
Here's what we learned as Buffalo resumed camp:
Practice Observations
Defensive lineman Ed Oliver set the tone for the day, dominating throughout team drills for the duration of practice. The defensive tackle started by blowing up a handoff to running back Ray Davis, quickly shedding a block to get his hands on the running back in the backfield.
In the starter's second drive of the morning, Oliver showed off his pass rushing tool belt, getting home multiple times. On the first play of the drive, the 28-year-old exploded through the offensive line, generating a pressure that may have been a sack in a game scenario.
On the following drive, Oliver came through even quicker, getting to quarterback Josh Allen before he could get rid of the ball for a clean sack. As practice continued, Oliver stayed active, creating havoc up front.
"He's a hard worker, very determined," defensive lineman Landon Jackson said of Oliver. "And the way he flies around, he's a high motor player. He's always finding a way to get to the quarterback, get to the football."
Next to Oliver, Deone Walker also had a huge day of disrupting the offense from his defensive line spot. Walker picked up a tackle for loss on the first drive of 11-on-11, getting home for a sack as well later on.
Despite the pressure coming from the defensive line, the offense made some big plays throughout the day. Wide receiver Keon Coleman had three catches during the first 7-on-7 period to get off to a hot start, finishing his day off with a toe-tap touchdown at the front right corner of the end zone.
Coleman's score came in a red zone period at the end of practice, with his fellow receivers Khalil Shakir and DJ Moore also catching touchdowns.
Shakir exploded off the line on the left side of the formation, bursting past Christian Benford and heading for the middle of the field. Allen rocketed a pass in between the corner and safety Geno Stone, hitting Shakir in the chest for six.
The final full-speed play of the day went to Moore, with Allen being forced out of the pocket to his right. Despite not playing any games together, the duo was on the same page with Moore finding open space near the back right pylon and coming down with the touchdown grab.
The cornerback room is learning from each other
Cornerback Dee Alford met with the media after practice, coming off an impressive two weeks at St. John Fisher and an interception in Saturday's Blue & Red.
Finding a role in the slot, Alford has been a standout in both coverage and helping out in the run game. He also has the versatility to play on the outside, becoming a valuable asset to the new-look Bills defense.
"I do whatever I need to do to help this organization, to help my team succeed," Alford said. "Obviously it's two different worlds, outside on the island and being inside in the slot, you're more of like a linebacker cover guy. I'm just blessed to be able to do more than one thing."
Alford has also been a welcome veteran presence in a young cornerback room, helping rookies and inexperienced players continue to acclimate to NFL football. 2025 fifth-round pick Jordan Hancock has also been active throughout camp to this point, with his offseason work alongside Alford paying off.
The pair are both from the same hometown in Georgia, becoming friends before even getting to Buffalo. Alford has taken the 22-year-old under his wing, helping him through his second preseason.
"He's one of those guys that called me outside of the facility, asking questions, different things like that," Alford said of Hancock. "... Now we're teammates, and that bond just continues to grow. Every day, he comes out with the mindset to work hard and just compete. He's been doing great."
On the perimeter of the defense, Benford and undrafted rookie Kani Walker have stayed after practice together on multiple occasions to get extra work in. Both coming into the league without high draft pedigree, the underdog mentality has helped each player set themselves apart.
"Once you really get to know the depths of who Christian Benford is, he's a lot more relatable to me than you think," Walker said. "So it was easy to gravitate towards [him] as time goes by."
Walker has a role model in front of him who has solidified himself as one of the top corners in the game today. Benford may not be the most vocal leader, but his ability to lead by example is one that has benefited Walker as he starts his journey.
"He's seen me working," Benford said. "He's experiencing me putting the time in, the time out. He's seen me go through a lot of stuff."
Anticipation grows for first preseason game
With less than a week before the first preseason game of the year, Bills players are gearing up to take on the Carolina Panthers at Highmark Stadium. Getting a taste of a game day at the Return of the Blue & Red was a start, but the guys are ready to take on a different team
"I think we're at the point where we're sick of going against each other," Shakir said. "Everybody wants to hit a different team, and for it to finally count."
As much as practicing with pads on can help get ready for the regular season, the real feeling of hitting and being hit by an opposing team in a game is hard to replicate.
"I think that Week 1, with the jitters and everything, if you've been hit before that and kind of understand how it feels again to get going, I think it kind of takes a little bit of weight off the shoulders," Shakir added.
For the young guys on the roster, Saturday's preseason game is a great opportunity to put more film on tape and solidify a roster spot.
"Don't give anybody a reason to say no, and give everybody the reason to say yes, and demand everything from yourself, so everybody can demand it from you, and have that expectation of you," Walker said of his mentality heading into this weekend.
For members of the front seven, the preseason will be the first time getting live game reps in new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard's scheme.
DL Landon Jackson has bulked up this offseason to take on a new role for Buffalo this year, sharing that performing well in the preseason will help his confidence in the change moving forward.
"My goal going into preseason is really just to be me," Jackson said. "Just do what I know I can do, how I've been practicing every day since we've started training camp. Don't make it bigger than what it is, just go out there and dominate."
Swipe to see the best photos from Day 9 of the 2026 Buffalo Bills Training Camp at the Kaleida Health Performance Center in Orchard Park, NY. This gallery is presented by ADMAR.
Jalon Kilgore (29). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Da'Metrius Weatherspoon (76). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Bruno Fina (75). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Bruno Fina (75). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mike Danna (51). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Jalon Kilgore (29). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mike Danna (51). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keleki Latu (83). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keleki Latu (83). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Jalon Kilgore (29). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Michael Hoecht (55). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Zion Logue (93). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Zion Logue (93), DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Zion Logue (93), DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Zion Logue (93), DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Michael Hoecht (55). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ray Davis (7). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Terrance Jamison. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Terrance Jamison, Zion Logue (93). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
T.J. Sanders (98). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
T.J. Sanders (98). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
T.J. Sanders (98), DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
T.J. Sanders (98), DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Kody Huisman (61). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Michael Hoecht (55). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Phidarian Mathis (72), DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Kody Huisman (61), Phidarian Mathis (72). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
T.J. Sanders (98). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
T.J. Sanders (98). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Bradley Chubb (9). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Andre Jones Jr. (59). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Andre Jones Jr. (59). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mike Danna (51). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mike Danna (51). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
TJ Parker (99). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Javon Solomon (56). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Cade Denhoff (57). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Cade Denhoff (57). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Michael Hoecht (55). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Andre Jones Jr. (59). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Andre Jones Jr. (59). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mike Danna (51). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
TJ Parker (99). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mike Danna (51). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Davison Igbinosun (21). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Davison Igbinosun (21). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Sam Franklin Jr. (28). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Sam Franklin Jr. (28). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Geno Stone (25). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Geno Stone (25). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mike Danna (51). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Jordan Dunbar (36). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Jordan Dunbar (36). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Geno Stone (25). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson (22), Te'Cory Couch (33). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Frank Gore Jr. (20). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mecole Hardman Jr. (1). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mecole Hardman Jr. (1). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mecole Hardman Jr. (1). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mac Dalena (82). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Max Tomczak (80). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keon Coleman (0), Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Keon Coleman (0), Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10), Kaleb Elarms-Orr (52). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10), Kaleb Elarms-Orr (52). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10), Kaleb Elarms-Orr (52). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Jackson Hawes (85). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Lloyd Cushenberry (53). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ray Davis (7). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ray Davis (7). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dawson Knox (88), Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dawson Knox (88), Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Kyle Allen (11). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Jalon Kilgore (29). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Jude Bowry (74), Shane Zylstra (48). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Shane Zylstra (48). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ian Wheeler (27). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mecole Hardman Jr. (1). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mecole Hardman Jr. (1). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mecole Hardman Jr. (1). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
James Cook (4), Keleki Latu (83). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
James Cook (4), Keleki Latu (83). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Ray Davis (7), Terrel Bernard (8). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Terrel Bernard (8). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson (22). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson (22), Bradley Chubb (9). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mac Dalena (82). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Mac Dalena (82). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10), Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10), Lloyd Cushenberry (53). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Khalil Shakir (10), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Terrel Bernard (8), Jackson Hawes (85). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr (52), Terrel Bernard (8). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr (52), Terrel Bernard (8). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dee Alford (23). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
James Cook (4), Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
James Cook (4), DJ Moore (2). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Terrel Bernard (8). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Bradley Chubb (9). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Bradley Chubb (9). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dawson Knox (88), Austin Corbett (63). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Austin Corbett (63). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Jordan Dunbar (36), Geno Stone (25), Christian Benford (47), Sam Franklin Jr. (28), Jordan Hancock (37). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Cade Denhoff (57). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
Bradley Chubb (9). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, August 10, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.
