The Buffalo Bills have opened the 21-day practice window for rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston, head coach Sean McDermott announced on Wednesday. Hairston, who suffered a right knee injury during training camp and was placed on injured reserve on August 26, has missed the first four weeks of the season. Before his injury, he was competing for the starting cornerback position opposite Christian Benford.
“One day at a time I think is the right approach right now,” McDermott said.
McDermott emphasized the need to manage expectations as Hairston returns to practice after missing significant time. “He’s missed a lot of time, a lot of football. A lot of affirmation of, ‘Hey, yes. That’s what they want. That’s how it’s supposed to look.’ Or, ‘I’ve got to do a better job,'” McDermott said. “It’s a journey and I know managing expectations is important for us and him as well.”
Hairston was selected in the first round with the 30th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft from Kentucky. In his redshirt junior year in 2024, he started seven games and recorded 19 tackles, two forced fumbles, one sack, and one interception.
Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and defensive end Michael Hoecht are also set to return to full practice on Wednesday following their six-game suspensions. McDermott noted that expectations for both players will be managed as they reintegrate into team activities. “There’s certainly a conditioning piece. There’s a physical piece to it as well. And then there’s a schematic piece to it also,” McDermott said. “So just trying to manage expectations and just take it one step at a time right now, one day at a time.”
McDermott provided additional injury updates: defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, wide receiver Joshua Palmer, and safety Taylor Rapp will not participate in Wednesday’s practice. Jones and Palmer are considered week-to-week with their injuries; it remains uncertain if either will be placed on injured reserve. Rapp continues to deal with a knee issue that has lingered since training camp; his status is yet to be determined as either day-to-day or week-to-week.
Linebacker Matt Milano, tight end Dalton Kincaid, wide receiver Curtis Samuel, and linebacker Terrel Bernard will all be limited participants in Wednesday’s practice.
