Buffalo Bills training camp practice report: Day 13 recap

Buffalo Bills training camp practice has wrapped up for the day, and there were a few newsworthy nuggets that emerged from today's session.

Graham has a bum hammy

Second-year wide receiver T.J. Graham left practice early on Monday, and after sitting out today's practice as well, Bills head coach Doug Marrone told reporters that Graham is expected to be out at least for the rest of the week with a groin injury - including for Friday night's preseason game at home against the Minnesota Vikings.

With Graham and Stevie Johnson - two of the team's projected top four receivers - not available for that game, there will be a big opportunity for some young receivers to make their case for the 53-man roster with the first-team offense. Chris Hogan, in particular, could see more work with the ones based on his strong camp. After his excellent performance in Indianapolis, it would not be particularly surprising to see Marcus Easley that early, either. (Isn't talented depth a nice thing to have?) Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin, of course, will also be in line for a bunch of first-team work.

More injury updates

First, the good news: tight end Dorin Dickerson (ankle) returned to the lineup after missing practice on Monday. Even better news: cornerback Justin Rogers, out since early in camp with a hamstring issue, also donned the pads again today.

Aaron Williams left practice early with what appeared at first to be a hamstring issue, but Marrone later told reporters that he was merely cramping. Kiko Alonso did not take part in 11-on-11 drills, per WGR 550's Joe Buscaglia, and BuffaloBills.com's Chris Brown mentioned that Marcus Dowtin appeared limited, as well. Stevie Johnson, Brad Smith, Mike Caussin, Aaron Tipoti, Kourtnei Brown, Leodis McKelvin and T.J. Heath were all sideline spectators.

Kolb hitting his stride

Reporters on hand to take in today's practice - including Buscaglia, Brown, Mark Gaughan of The Buffalo News and John Wawrow of the Associated Press, among others - were quick to point out that quarterback Kevin Kolb looked much more like his healthy self today. Working with the second-team offense early on and taking some first-team reps away from EJ Manuel later in the session, Kolb was reportedly moving around well on his dinged-up knee, and had several nice throws.

"Obviously I watched him closely yesterday and again today," Marrone said Tuesday. "I thought today he looked really good. It’s to a point now where he’s practicing and we’re going to get him ready to play."

He may not start against the Vikings, but clearly Kolb will be back into the quarterback rotation in time for that game - and the player most likely to be affected is new fan favorite Jeff Tuel.

Powell wins punting job

As practice was beginning at 8AM, the Bills were announcing that punter Brian Stahovich - on the field for just three plays in Sunday's win over Indy - had been released. That leaves Shawn Powell as the only remaining punter on the roster; his stronger leg and better holding skills ultimately won that job for him. That's one position battle down, and many more to go.