Pittsford, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - For very different reasons, this training camp is very big for the progress of Buffalo Bills defenders Kaiir Elam and Matt Milano.
Under a hot sun at St. John Fisher University on Thursday, both players made more strides in their progression.
Kaiir Elam
Elam, who's trying to earn a trusted role at cornerback after two disappointing seasons since being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in 2022, made two big plays in 7-on-7 red zone work at the start of the session.
First, he did a great job to stay with the play, fight at the pylon, and eventually knock the ball away from the taller Mack Hollins.
On his very next rep, Elam read a swing pass perfectly, stepped in front of James Cook, and almost intercepted it for a pick-six.
It wasn't all positive for Elam, who gave up a touchdown later in an 11-on-11 red zone period. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky did a great job to hide the ball on a play-action pass, which allowed wide receiver Tyrell Shavers to get a little separation from Elam in the back corner for the touchdown.
Matt Milano
Coaches keep saying Milano is getting better every day, as he continues to recover from a broken leg in Week 5 that ended last season early for him.
It doesn't appear to be just "coach speak". Milano seemingly makes a play every practice that gets attention.
Milano read a tight end screen perfectly on Thursday, and got to intended target Dawson Knox almost before the ball did, wrapping him up for, what would have been, a tackle for loss.
His instincts are still certainly there. It looks like his explosiveness is getting back, as well.
Keon Coleman highlight
Coleman had another highlight-reel play, but this one had a flag thrown on it and would have come back.
The rookie wideout was running down the sideline, and quarterback Josh Allen threw a terrific pass that somehow was squeezed into a tight window. Coleman got his hands up late to grab it over top of the defender covering him.
The nearest official threw a flag on Coleman for offensive pass interference. It was tough to see how much he made contact.
Prior to that, Trubisky hit Coleman on a fade at the back of the end zone for a touchdown. Safety Kendall Williamson was in coverage.
Welcome to the NFL, rookie
Cornerback Daequan Hardy had a bit of a "welcome to the NFL" moment during 11-on-11 action.
As Cook was carrying the ball to the edge looking for an opening, the rookie, who was the outside contain, took one bad step to the inside, then got flat-footed very briefly. Cook made him pay by getting to the corner in a hurry for a big gain.
Injury updates
Rookie safety Cole Bishop is week-to-week with a shoulder injury that he suffered on Tuesday.
Offensive lineman Alec Anderson was back at practice, and appeared to be a full participant just two days after being taken to a hospital via ambulance with heat-related issues.
Wide receiver Chase Claypool (toe), running back Ty Johnson (hamstring), and safety Mike Edwards (hamstring) all remain out of action.
Next up:
The team will next be on the field Friday night back in Orchard Park for the Return of the Blue and Red open practice at Highmark Stadium, which begins at 5:30 p.m. ET.
The Bills will have a day off on Saturday before returning to St. John Fisher University for a practice on Sunday at 11:45 a.m. ET.
