The Buffalo Bills returned to St. John Fisher on Sunday for their only afternoon practice in Pittsford this training camp. The crowd was packed for one of the worst performances of the summer, though, as several members of the team disappointed. Let’s get to the storylines.
Josh Allen’s bad day
It was not a great day to be the Bills’ starting quarterback. In his worst practice of 2019, he started the day 2-for-7 with an interception by multiple accounts. He eventually settled in—and we noted that his progression would be non-linear—but it’s been a few days since Allen looked sharp.
Two big rookie moves
For the first time all camp, second-round pick Cody Ford took guard reps on Sunday. Spencer Long and Jon Feliciano were both out with injuries, and the team was able to get an extended look at Ty Nsehke at right tackle. Ford showed great power at guard where many draft prognosticators thought he was a more natural fit.
His classmate Ed Oliver took the first snaps with the first-team defense, jumping ahead of Jordan Phillips. Phillips has played very well, but Oliver has exploded in the last few practices.
LaAdrian Waddle the latest o-line injury
Buffalo’s fourth tackle was carted off the field on Sunday and we haven’t heard anything official from the team or his wife on social media. The Bills signed six offensive linemen this offseason and five of them have now missed time in camp:
- Mitch Morse is still out with his concussion
- Quinton Spain was back on Sunday after missing a few days with a leg injury
- Spencer Long has been out for a week with knee inflammation
- Jon Feliciano left Friday’s practice after tweaking his leg on Thursday
- Waddle was carted off Sunday with a quadriceps injury
Jason Croom and Dawson Knox remain sidelined with hamstring injuries. Micah Hyde was limited with a precautionary neck problem. E.J. Gaines left practice with an undisclosed injury.
Odds and ends
- The team was forced to run four 50-yard gassers at the end of practice for the first time in 2019. Several coaches jumped in on the reps.
- With Croom, Knox, and Tyler Kroft out, Tommy Sweeney continues to make the most of his reps perhaps playing his way onto the roster, likely at the expense of Croom.
- Cam Phillips continues to make plays at camp. He and Ray-Ray McCloud III are in a solid battle for the number 6 receiver spot.
- Siran Neal earned first-team reps at Big Nickel on Sunday, further solidifying his spot on the roster. Buffalo could look to keep five safeties when all is said and done.