Buffalo Bills training camp practice recap: Monday, August 24th

The Buffalo Bills, with three weeks remaining until their season opener, continued their preparations with the start of a new week on Monday. The team won’t play any preseason games, but general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott both confirmed that the Bills will hold a team scrimmage on Thursday. Here’s what went down on Monday’s practice:

Back to business after COVID-19 scare

The Bills were one of a handful of teams to make rapid adjustments Sunday, after a host of coronavirus tests came back positive. All of the follow-up tests, including the ones for Josh Allen, showed no signs of the virus. So after a one-day hiatus, it was back to normal for those Bills.

Kicker battle tilts back toward Hauschka

During practice at Bills Stadium, Tyler Bass claimed the advantage, but he followed that up with a 4-for-6 performance on Sunday that saw him missing both of his 50+ yard kicks. Monday was Stephen Hauschka’s day, and he went a perfect 5-for-5.

Gabriel Davis hype grows

If there’s an early training camp MVP, it may be rookie wideout Gabe Davis. Since returning from a leg injury early in camp, the media praise has been unanimous. He keeps making plays in camp, to the point where his performance is being held in esteem with John Brown and Stefon Diggs.

In Monday’s practice, Davis had a one-on-one win on a contested catch against Tre’Davious White. It won’t be clear until the live games start, but the Bills’ fourth-round pick may be the real deal.

Injury Updates

Speaking with the media before practice, Sean McDermott said “looks like it’s going to be some time here” on Josh Norman’s hamstring injury. The Bills are three weeks away from their season opener, so pencil Levi Wallace in as the starter until events change.

Taiwan Jones (knee) was absent from practice following an injury he suffered on Sunday’s practice. Also out were Christian Wade (quad), Pat DiMarco (neck), Jon Feliciano (pectoral), and Tommy Sweeney (foot).

A.J. Klein (ankle) and Tremaine Edmunds (hip) were limited participants. Robert Foster (concussion) was practicing in a no-contact capacity.

Miscellaneous

• Andre Roberts had the play of the day, a diving over-the-shoulder touchdown catch:

• The defensive line had the advantage over the offensive line from top to bottom. Quinton Jefferson and Vincent Taylor notched sacks, and A.J. Epenesa and Bryan Cox Jr. both won their one-on-one battles.
• Stefon Diggs briefly came up clutching his leg with pain after landing a reception, but walked off the field and returned to action a few plays later. Crisis averted.
• Overall, Josh Allen and his offense were more in-sync today, despite the defensive pressure. Allen’s throws were accurate and on time with his receivers.