Pittsford, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills got a couple of key defenders back at practice on Thursday at St. John Fisher University.
Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson - who avoided serious injury when he went down last week with, what was later reported as, a calf strain - and defensive tackle Deon Walker - who said he tweaked his elbow - were both full participants in the next-to-last session in Pittsford.
Gardner-Johnson went down with a non-contact injury last Saturday. He was clutching the back of his foot and Achilles area, but eventually walked to a cart and into the locker room. He then missed practice on Monday and Tuesday, but was seen working with athletic trainers off to the side.
The veteran safety did not confirm the report of a calf strain, but was back on the field Thursday, lining up in his usual spot next to fellow starter Cole Bishop.
“I’m feeling good,” he said after practice. “I feel like 100%, ready to go.”
Walker had also been working with an athletic trainer off to the side for a couple days, but was wearing full equipment while doing so. On Tuesday, he said it was because he tweaked his elbow and they were awaiting an elbow brace that had to be specifically fitted for him.
He had that brace on Thursday.
Bass kicking again
While Tyler Bass has been doing some kicking, it had not been in front of the media up until this point. But on Thursday, he lined up for seven field goal attempts from different distances, and also kicked off during a kick return drill.
Without a full defensive rush against, Bass made kicks from 33, 36, 39, 45, and 47 yards. He missed from 43 and 51 yards.
"It's all about getting reps," Bass said after practice. "Just building that belief in your in your snapper and your holder. I think we're well on our way and it's been, I know you guys have only seen me kick once, but we've kicked a lot before that, so we're excited and can't wait."
Bass has not kicked in a live action game since last preseason, and not in a regular season or postseason game since the 2024 season.
Hancock a Thursday standout
Second-year defensive back Jordan Hancock had a really nice day on Thursday.
In one practice period, he blitzed and overpowered running back Ian Wheeler for, what would have been, a sack. Then towards the end of practice, he did a great job to climb the ladder and grab an interception off quarterback Kyle Allen.
Gardner-Johnson has plenty to say on Texans departure
After practice, I asked Gardner-Johnson about the way his time ended in Houston with the Texans last year, when he was released after just three games, and about going back to play them to open the season this year. He had a lot of really interesting things to say. Here is the full transcript.
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