Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills opened their first week of practices in the regular season on Wednesday, as preparations continue for a season-opening battle with the New York Jets this Monday night at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Ahead of Wednesday's practice, Bills head coach Sean McDermott sat down to address his roster before Monday night's opening kickoff, specifically speaking on some of the key roster battles that have been taking place since the opening of training camp in late July. This includes competitions at starting middle linebacker, cornerback opposite Tre'Davious White, as well as right guard.
LISTEN LIVE TO WGR:
Starting with an important piece of the defensive unit, it will be second-year linebacker Terrel Bernard that won out the battle for middle linebacker next to All-Pro outside linebacker Matt Milano. The 24-year-old is set to make just his second-career start in the NFL after registering 22 total tackles for the Bills on defense and special teams as a rookie in 2022.
"We thought he did some good things when he was healthy and available," said McDermott on Wednesday. "We're confident in 'T.B.' [Bernard], excited to watch him play. He's got to take it one play at a time."
Bernard earns the starting job at middle linebacker by beating out the likes of Tyrel Dodson, A.J. Klein and Baylon Spector, despite missing the entire preseason battling a hamstring injury.
McDermott also announced another second-year player on the defensive side of the ball to win a starting competition, as Christian Benford will start Monday in the CB2 position. He felt Benford's game improved during the course of the spring and throughout training camp.
The 2022 sixth-round pick was able to earn the starting role opposite White after competing with the likes of 2022 first-round pick Kaiir Elam and fourth-year corner Dane Jackson.
On the offensive side of the ball, it will be 2023 second-round pick O'Cyrus Torrence starting at right guard, beating out veteran Ryan Bates. McDermott feels Torrence had a "workman-like" approach to his game leading up to his first NFL season.
"I thought he handled himself well," McDermott said. "Just like Christian, 'T.B.' and now 'Cybo' [Torrence], they're all young players that are a little bit inexperienced at this point, but we are confident in them."
Hear more from McDermott's meeting with the media on Wednesday available in the player below:
