Bills’ Maxwell Hairston Returns to Full Practice; Three Teammates Absent Wednesday
The Buffalo Bills made progress on the injury front this week as rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston returned to full practice. Hairston had opened his practice window last week after spending the early season on Injured Reserve (IR). He participated in his first NFL game on Sunday and played alongside veteran Tre’Davious White.
Injury Status of Key Players
While Hairston’s return is promising, several teammates remain sidelined. Notably, defensive tackle Ed Oliver has a torn biceps and underwent surgery Wednesday, likely ending his season. The list of defensive players currently not available includes:
- Ed Oliver
- Dewayne Carter
- Damar Hamlin
- Dorian Strong
- Cameron Johnston
- T.J. Sanders
- Taylor Rapp
Positive Developments for Defensive Players
The Bills received encouraging news regarding linebackers Terrel Bernard and Matt Milano. Bernard participated fully after being limited last week, while Milano returned from a pectoral injury that has kept him out since Week 2. Their presence is crucial as Buffalo prepares to host the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday.
Remaining Injury Concerns
Despite the positive updates, the Bills are still missing several key players. Head coach Sean McDermott confirmed that three other players did not practice on Wednesday:
- DaQuan Jones (calf injury)
- Joshua Palmer (high ankle sprain and suspected MCL sprain)
- Ray Davis (illness)
Davis is expected to return soon, but Jones and Palmer’s status remains uncertain. Typically, the recovery period for ankle sprains is around four weeks, pushing Palmer’s potential return to between Weeks 10 and 11.
Additional Concerns
Kicker Matt Prater is also dealing with a calf injury and linebacker Shaq Thompson has a hamstring injury. Both were limited in practice. The status of these players remains in question, as it is unclear whether their injuries occurred during the game or in practice.
The Bills are currently navigating a challenging injury situation but remain hopeful as they prepare to face the Chiefs. The return of key defensive players, such as Hairston, is vital for their upcoming match.
