Pittsford, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills were back on the field at St. John Fisher University on Monday with just five days to go before their first preseason game on Saturday against the Chicago Bears.
Kickoff on Saturday is slated for 1 p.m. ET at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
We most likely won't know plans for playing time until head coach Sean McDermott meets with the media on Thursday morning.
Monday's practice was moved up to start an hour earlier due to possible inclement weather later in the morning. The rain did come during the second half of practice, coming down pretty hard for about 10 minutes.
Players and coaches stayed on the field and worked through it.
Isabella injured
Before the rain, wide receiver Andy Isabella was carted to the locker room with an apparent leg injury.
It happened after he caught a pass near the middle of the field. Just as he turned, defensive tackled to DeShawn Williams, who was charging hard from his defensive tackle spot, laid a pretty big hit on him.
Offensive lineman Alec Anderson took exception and got into the face of a couple defenders. There was pushing and shoving between the two sides.
Even after they separated, there was plenty of jawing going back-and-forth between the two units. Even quarterback Josh Allen was involved.
Ultimately, Isabella was looked at by trainers before being placed on a cart and taken into the locker room.
Rookie ups and downs
Rookie defensive back Daequan Hardy, who's had a solid camp, made a big play in 11-on-11 work.
Quarterback Shane Buechele attempted a pass over the middle of the field, but it was clearly behind his receiver. Hardy, who was in trail coverage, stepped in front of the ball and took it the other way about 40 yards for a touchdown.
However, later in 1-on-1 reps, Hardy was matched up with wide receiver Keon Coleman. The much smaller Hardy pressed him at the line of scrimmage, but Coleman was able to shake loose and cleanly beat Hardy down the field for a touchdown.
Hardy is also in the mix for the main punt and kick return jobs.
Rotation at cornerback continues
Throughout most of camp, Kaiir Elam, Benford and Rasul Douglas have been rotating in with the first-team defense, with Douglas getting the majority of the reps and Benford and Elam working opposite him.
Elam started with the first unit in the first 11-on-11 session on Monday. After that, Benford came in for the next round of plays.
It's going to be very interesting to see how this rotation shakes out in the preseason, and what it ultimately means for the regular season.
Participation update
The only players to return on Monday who did not practice Sunday were tight end Dawson Knox and offensive lineman La'el Collins.
Several players remained out with injuries they've been dealing with, including safeties Mike Edwards and Cole Bishop, running back Ty Johnson, linebackers Nicholas Morrow and Eddie Ulofoshio, wide receiver Chase Claypool, and offensive lineman Travis Clayton.
Wide receiver Justin Shorter was also sidelined on Monday after leaving Sunday's practice and not returning.
Defensive tackle DaQuan Jones was given a veteran rest day.
Next up:
The team will be off on Tuesday before returning to St. John Fisher University for the final two practices on Wednesday and Thursday morning, both beginning at 9:45 a.m. ET.
