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Buffalo Bills Links, 8/19: Dion Dawkins opens up about COVID-19 battle

Plus, explore the reasons behind Josh Allen’s breakthrough 2020 season.

By John Boccacino

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The Buffalo Bills and their fans are happy to have left tackle Dion Dawkins back on the practice field this summer, after he missed the first 12 practice sessions while recovering from a bout with COVID-19.

We lead off today’s edition of the Bills links by hearing how battling COVID-19 was “one of the lowest points” in Dawkins’s life, including how at one point he wasn’t sure he was going to survive the coronavirus.

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Dion Dawkins wasn’t sure he was going to survive COVID-19

As Dion Dawkins continues to work his way back from being on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list, he opened up about his harrowing battle with the virus, which included being hospitalized for four days. At one point, Dawkins said things were so bad that he wasn’t sure he was going to survive.

Observations from Day 15 of training camp

All-Pro quarterback Josh Allen continued his blistering performance at training camp, completing 15 consecutive passes at one point, while wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Cole Beasley proved to be problematic for Buffalo’s defense. Learn more about what stood out from Buffalo’s practice session.

Exploring the reasons behind Josh Allen’s breakout season

Hear how offensive coordinator Brian Daboll helped Allen progress last year by calling a high percentage of passes on early downs, discover other key areas that fueled Allen’s breakthrough 2020 campaign, find out how Allen plans on using the preseason to prepare for a regular season filled with expectations, and learn how Allen is letting his personality show through at camp.

LB Andre Smith planning for a life after football

While linebacker Andre Smith has enjoyed a stellar preseason, including an all-around excellent performance in a 16-15 win over the Detroit Lions, he has his eyes focused on future financial success once his NFL days are finished.

Odds and ends

Get the latest 53-man roster projections heading into Week 2 of the preseason, learn which Bills have stood out during training camp, relive the day Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly finally signed with the Bills 35 years ago, discover more memories from the day Rich Stadium opened 48 years ago, and more.

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