Pittsford, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Greeted by several thousand fans and a whole lot of rain, the Buffalo Bills began their 2026 season with their first training camp practice on Wednesday at St. John Fisher University.
The rain began early in the morning and continued through the practice. Despite the conditions, the Bills seemed to go through a normal practice schedule for their first day together since minicamp ended almost seven weeks ago.
The rain certainly could have been a factor on the very first play when quarterback Josh Allen threw a short pass to wide receiver Keon Coleman, who dropped the ball. On the very next play, Allen went back to Coleman, this time on the right sideline and into a tight window. The third-year wide receiver, who's been the subject of plenty of talk this offseason, bounced back nicely to make the grab and turn upfield.
There were also several players who slipped on the rain soaked grass throughout the one-and-a-half-hour practice session, and at least one fumbled snap.
It was also clear that ball security was an important emphasis in the rain, with running backs making sure they had both hands and even arms around the football whenever it was handed to them.
Allen-to-Moore connection
Despite the rain, Allen didn't have any issues connecting with new wide receiver D.J. Moore several times, as the two continued to carry-over their solid chemistry from organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp.
Shavers to PUP; Hoecht cleared to play
On the eve of the first practice, the Bills placed wide receiver Tyrell Shavers on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list. Shavers suffered a torn ACL in the team's AFC Wild Card Round win over the Jacksonville Jaguars back in January.
As he still recovers, Shavers will not be able to practice while on PUP, but will still count towards the 91-man active roster.
Shavers was the only player placed on any sort of list that would prevent him from being on the field. Everyone else was cleared to play, including edge rusher Michael Hoecht, who suffered a torn Achilles in November.
Linebacker Dorian Williams was also cleared and practicing. Williams, who missed all of minicamp, told reporters he had suffered a bilateral knee fracture during OTAs.
No team reps for Bernard
Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard, who dealt with several injuries last year, was on the field and took part in individual position work, but did not take any team reps. After practice, general manager and president of football operations Brandon Beane said Bernard is fine, but where his training is in his recovery, they are still ramping him up before he's doing more on the field.
Next up
The team will be back on the field Thursday morning, once again starting practice at 8:30 a.m.
New defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard will speak to the media at 8 a.m. You can hear that live on WGR Sports Radio 550.
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