With the new and unique preseason schedule, the Buffalo Bills and every other NFL team essentially have a bye week this weekend before the regular season begins. That means the Bills still have 10 days before their regular season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
Head coach Sean McDermott told the media before Thursday’s practice that he’s trying to strike the right balance between still working on their own team and roster versus preparing for the Steelers.
"I'm a routine guy, so I'm trying to get kind of my handle on this week and making sure I'm in the right spot, and what we're working on and what we're supposed to be working on and serving our team the best way that I can. So I'm figuring it out just like everybody else here," McDermott said with the assembled media at One Bills Drive.
"How much I work on Pittsburgh, and how much we work on Pittsburgh, and how much is focusing on getting our roster right, getting the practice squad right, getting things just from an administrative standpoint across to the team that we need to cross of our list this week. So it's been a little bit of both, and it will continue to be on that until probably Monday, at this point."
On the field, two days after finalizing the initial 53-man roster and now having a full complement of 16 practice squad players, the team hit the field just outside the ADPRO Sports Training Center in Orchard Park.
Safety Jaquan Johnson, who has missed the last couple of weeks with a knee injury, returned to practice. He was seen taking part in stretching and individual position work during the early media-open portion of practice.
Cornerbacks Taron Johnson and Dane Jackson, as well as wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie, all still wore red non-contact jerseys. Defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (calf) and safety Micah Hyde (personal) were not present.
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