The Buffalo Bills held their Return of the Blue & Red practice at Highmark Stadium on Friday evening, drawing a record crowd of 39,224 fans. This marked the eighth training camp session and provided an opportunity for both veterans and rookies to perform in front of a large home audience.
Quarterback Josh Allen participated briefly, taking part in individual drills and one 7-on-7 series before resting. Backup quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky, Mike White, and Shane Buechele received extended playing time as a result. Trubisky connected with tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Jackson Hawes during the first 11-on-11 period. The defense responded with strong plays from defensive end Javon Solomon and linebacker Keonta Jenkins.
Mike White led the next offensive series, completing a screen pass to wide receiver Elijah Moore for a 20-yard gain. Throughout practice, the defensive line continued to apply pressure, with Ed Oliver and Greg Rousseau each recording pressures.
Wide receiver Keon Coleman made two notable catches on deep passes from Trubisky, including a 40-yard touchdown. As practice moved into red zone situations, Trubisky threw touchdowns to Kincaid and Hawes.
Running backs James Cook, Ray Davis, and Ty Johnson had several big runs during practice. Cook scored a touchdown in goal-line drills. Kristian Wilkerson caught a 30-yard pass from Buechele. With kicker Tyler Bass resting due to injury recovery, Ray Davis served as emergency kicker and converted two out of three field goals from extra point range. Joey Bosa, Matt Milano, and Tre’Davious White were given veteran rest days.
Second-year defensive end Javon Solomon discussed his improved comfort level this season. “Just the ability to be comfortable in your own skin and your own abilities,” Solomon said of the difference in his sophomore season. “Going out there performing and knowing that if I mess up, I’m going to get coached up. If I make a great play, I’m going to get coached up.”
Solomon credited his development to better understanding the team’s defensive scheme: “My second year feels like a night and day difference (from the first),” Solomon shared. “Being able to understand the scheme, the playbook, your teammates, being able to play off each other, it’s a different feeling. Now the pressure is relinquished a little bit, and I can put focus into other things.”
He also spoke about focusing on how he starts plays: “The biggest thing for me is preaching how I start,” Solomon said of turning pressures into sacks. “Reading my tackles, reading the shot clock, being dialed into the situation to feel it out. And then when you get a chance, you have to be able to have certain moves.” Solomon finished last season with two sacks.
Rookies experienced their first time at Highmark Stadium during this event. Defensive lineman Deone Walker said: “I’ve never had so many fans at a practice before,” shared rookie defensive lineman Deone Walker. “It feels great.I really do feel the love from Bills Mafia and it means everything.”
Edge rusher Landon Jackson described his feelings: “Surreal. It was extremely surreal. I’ve been dreaming about this since I was really young, so just trying to soak in the moment, but at the same time, know there’s work to be done,” shared Jackson.
Cornerback Dorian Strong saw value in practicing under game-like conditions ahead of next week’s preseason matchup against the New York Giants: “Being in this environment was a little interesting, just trying to communicate, but I’m glad I was able to do this before we get into the real thing next week,” shared Strong.
Veteran edge Micheal Hoecht commented on returning home for practice: “How can you not love coming out and doing this? It’s a perfect night. Everybody’s out on the town. Even from my house here, there was backed-up traffic the whole way. That’s awesome. It’s only August,” added edge Micheal Hoecht.
