Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - For the first time since injuring his knee more than eight weeks ago, Buffalo Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston was back on the practice field on Wednesday, working with an athletic trainer while his teammates prepared for their game against the New Orleans Saints this Sunday.
Hairston, who sprained his LCL during a training camp practice on July 29, wore a large brace on his right knee as he went through exercises.
Hairston must remain on Injured Reserve for, at least, one more game. Then he is eligible to return to practice, if the Bills choose to do that.
They can also wait as long as they want before that happens. But once he is on the field, the Bills will have 21 days to activate him to the 53-man roster.
Prior to practice, head coach Sean McDermott gave an update on Hairston's progress, saying "he's working and moving in the right direction," but added he doesn't know how many weeks Hairston will miss.
"You've got to remember, Max has been out since whatever day or week in training camp," McDermott said. "So all the physical part, yes, but also all the mental part of the playbook and those things. Right now, it's, I think, lowering expectations and managing them, and just taking it one day at a time and seeing when and if he can come back."
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Defensive tackle Ed Oliver (ankle) and linebacker Matt Milano (pectoral) both remained out of on Wednesday, and were joined by starting right tackle Spencer Brown, who has a calf injury.
McDermott says all three are progressing, and they will see where the week takes each of them.
After practice, Brown appeared on "One Bills Live" on WGR and said he believes he'll be OK to play against the Saints this weekend.
Defensive end A.J. Epenesa also appeared on the team's official injury report after practice as limited with a pectoral injury. McDermott did not mention him before practice, so that will be something to monitor as the week goes on.
