Pittsford, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The first day of Buffalo Bills training camp was off-and-running right away, and so was the competition at starting cornerback opposite Christian Benford at St. John Fisher University.
Veteran cornerback Tre'Davious White, who returned to the club this offseason after being released prior to 2024, took the first reps with the starting defensive unit. However, 2025 first-round pick Max Hairston mixed in quite often, and showed he was up to the task on his first day as a pro.
The highlight for Hairston came on a play near the end of the practice session when quarterback Mitch Trubisky tried to hit, what appeared to be, a wide-open K.J. Hamler in the back of the end zone. Hairston, who was trailing in coverage, saw the ball in the air and broke immediately to get in front of Hamler to bat it down.
As Hairston was being praised by his teammates on the field and started to head to the sideline, White was one of the first players to greet and praise him.
White also continued to show the infectious energy he always did while with the Bills from 2017-23.
Earlier in the session, Haiston was matched up 1-on-1 with Curtis Samuel, as the wideout was breaking towards the sideline and front corner of the end zone. Hairston got to the spot just as Samuel was catching it, and didn't allow the veteran receiver to turn up field, keeping him on a path out of bounds for a very minimal gain.
The rookie wasn’t the only defender making plays on the football.
On the very first play of the day, in 7-on-7 red zone work, safety Taylor Rapp did a great job to read the concept, jump the route, and knock a Josh Allen pass away.
Allen didn’t have a great start, throwing a few early incompletions before finding running back James Cook on a swing route for a would-be touchdown.
After practice, Allen said he wanted to make sure he didn’t put the ball in harm’s way, and threw it away a couple times.
"I know it doesn’t look good on the stat sheet for you guys, but had a good day today," Allen said.
Participation update
Not only was running back James Cook on the field, but he participated in every drill, ending any notion that he would hold-in, not be a full participant as he seeks a new contract.
However, the Bills were without four players for the first practice.
Tight end Dawson Knox has a hamstring injury and was placed on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) List.
Offensive tackle Spencer Brown and center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger were both placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List. Brown had, what head coach Sean McDermott called, a “flare up” of a back injury, while Van Pran-Granger is dealing with a calf injury.
Meanwhile, wide receiver/kick returner Laviska Shenault did not practice due to lower leg tightness.
After practice, general manager Brandon Beane didn’t seem overly concerned about Brown or Knox, as far as anything long-term, saying they are veterans and will do what’s needed to be ready and the team will be cautious with them.
Next up:
The Bills will practice on Thursday at 9:45 a.m. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady will meet with the media at 9:15 a.m.
