Pittsford, N.Y. (WGR 550) - When the Buffalo Bills hit the practice field on Wednesday at St. John Fisher College, they were down several players.
That, and more, included in my notes and observations of the day:
- Tight ends Tyler Kroft (knee), Jason Croom (hamstring), and Dawson Knox (hamstring) remained out due to injury, and they were joined by center Mitch Morse (concussion protocol) and guard Spencer Long (knee soreness).
- Running back LeSean McCoy who was excused from practice for personal reasons. Head coach Sean McDermott said the team has been aware of McCoy's excused practice for a while.
- Defensive end Jerry Hughes got a maintenance day, and safety Micah Hyde started practice but didn't finish. He worked a little bit with trainers off to the side, then stood on the sidelines and watched the offense face the defense.
- In Hyde's absence, Kurt Coleman lined up with the starting defense. With Hughes out, Shaq Lawson played defensive end opposite Trent Murphy.
- With Morse and Long both out, Russell Bodine was the starting center with Jon Feliciano at right guard. Dion Dawkins continued to start at left tackle, with Quinton Spain at left guard.
- For the first time this camp, Ty Nsekhe was the first right tackle in, ahead of Cody Ford. The two rotated fairly regularly with the starters.
- Maurice Alexander continued to get a regular spot as a second team linebacker, along with Corey Thompson and Julian Stanford. Deon Lacey is mainly playing on the third unit.
- Quarterback Josh Allen had defenders around him and in his face all morning. Of course, the offensive line was down two starters and their front-seven is good, so there's some perspective needed there, but it was noticeable and too often. On one play, rookie defensive Ed Oliver drove Spain back into Allen, which caused the quarterback to get knocked down, something no coach wants to see happen in training camp.
- Ed Oliver is really starting to be noticeable. His ball get-off is really good, just as it was noted in college, but his combination of speed and power has been on display several times since the pads have come on.
- McDermott specifically mentioned wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud as someone he's been impressed with so far at camp, mentioning his work off and on the field. Right now, McCloud is getting a heavy dose of reps with six other wideouts: John Brown, Cole Beasley, Zay Jones, Robert Foster, Andre Roberts, and Isiah McKenzie. After that there is a clear drop-off in reps to Cam Phillips, Victor Bolden, David Sills, Nick Easley, and Duke Williams.
Up next:
The team will be back on the practice field Thursday for a 9:45 a.m. practice, which is open to the public. Special teams coordinator Heath Farwell will speak to the media at 9:15 a.m.
