Buffalo Bills Links, 8/25: Bills dealing with COVID-19 quarantines

Plus, why Hall of Famer Bruce Smith sees “great things” for Buffalo’s defensive line.

By John Boccacino Aug 25, 2021, 7:00am EDT

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The NFL dealt with playing games while in the midst of a global health crisis in 2020, and the same will be true this year, as the Buffalo Bills found out on Tuesday.

Today’s edition of the Bills daily links catches you up on the news that wide receivers Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis and linebackers Matt Milano and A.J. Klein were sent home to quarantine following a close contact with a Bills trainer who tested positive for COVID-19.

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Bills have COVID-19 quarantine situation after close contact with positive test

Beasley, Davis, Milano and Klein must go through a five-day re-entry process before they are allowed to rejoin the team after they were deemed a close contact to a team trainer who tested positive for COVID-19. Get the latest news on this situation, and hear from general manager Brandon Beane on how, unfortunately, the team could be faced with this same situation during the regular season.

Hall of Famer Bruce Smith likes what he sees from defensive line

As Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Smith visits with the Bills this week, he is trying to impart some wisdom and knowledge to the current players. Among Smith’s training camp observations: the defense is “going to be vastly improved from last year” and he sees “great things unfolding” for a young defensive line featuring talented rookies Greg Rousseau and Carlos “Boogie” Basham Jr.

Training camp observations

Wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie suffers a scary injury and will need an MRI on his shoulder, while fellow wideout Jake Kumerow and linebacker Andre Smith continue to impress as they push for roster spots.

LB Tyrell Adams among five Bills released...

Linebacker Tyrell Adams, coming off a career season with the Houston Texans in 2020, was among the five Bills cut Tuesday as the team made a slew of moves to get to the league-mandated roster limit of 81 players. Also cut: wide receiver Lance Lenoir, safety Tariq Thompson, tight end Bug Howard, and offensive lineman Tyler Gauthier.

Buffalo signs two WRs and a DT after placing four on reserve/COVID-19 list

Get to know the newest members of the Bills: wide receivers Rico Gafford and Steven Sims and defensive tackle Joe Ivie, who were signed after the Bills placed four players on their reserve/COVID-19 list.

Odds and ends

Learn how left tackle Dion Dawkins took a big step forward as he continues to recover from COVID-19, see where the Bills rank in the latest NFL preseason rankings, find out which Bill is on the hot seat entering 2021, get to know tight end Jacob Hollister, who was once a great quarterback in his high school days, find out which broadcasters will call Buffalo’s season opening clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and more.