As has been the theme of the 2024 season, the Bills have had players step up against their opponents. More specifically, they have gotten significant contributions from the rookies on offense, defense and special teams.
"It's been important for us," head coach Sean McDermott said. "We knew that going into the season that it was going to take some time, and it's still a work in progress in a lot of areas. There's always something to work on with your team… With the young guys in this case, I think they've contributed very well in this short season to this point. Will their experience pay off? I've got to believe it will… I think that holistically it's been good for us, been good for them and we're getting more and more comfortable in these roles."
On offense, rookies Keon Coleman and Ray Davis have been major contributors. Coleman had his first 100-yard game against the Titans and Davis put the game away with a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
"It means a lot," Coleman said. "They put a lot of trust in us as rookies. We're pretty much doing what they job they drafted us here to do. Just stepping up and playing a good role."
The Bills are littered with rookies that have seen action this season, not just Coleman and Davis. KR/PR/CB Brandon Codrington, DT Zion Logue, LB Joe Andreessen, Cole Bishop and DT DeWayne Carter have all seen time and have contributed.
Carter has been making plays on the defensive side, including blowing up several plays against the Titans, including a big fourth down stop of RB Tony Pollard that sparked the Bills offense's flurry of points in the third quarter.
Carter gave the credit to his teammates and coaching staff for how he has been able to step into his role.
"Comfortability, it definitely comes with reps and repetition," Carter said. "I got so many vets around me, I got a great coaching staff around me, and they're always constantly like, 'bro you can do this, like you can do this,' but also, in the back of my head like, 'this what you could do better.' So, I'm always improving every single day."
The rookies have bought into the idea of "doing your one-eleventh" to continue to grow with the team and continue to contribute to wins.
"You can't let your team down," Carter said. "I'm responsible maybe for three steps in a play, right? I may not ever make a play. Someone on backside. You come down, Greg can make a tackle wherever it is, and you know, you're just doing your job to help the defense."
When they returned to practice on Wednesday, the Bills had their sights set on a West Coast Road trip to Seattle to play the Seahawks. Bills OL David Edwards, who played for the Rams previously, said he was excited to play in front of the "12th man."
"It's actually one of my favorite environments," Edwards said. "I really enjoy playing in Seattle… Really loud, the fans are great, and it's truly like a, this is us and our team versus them, and like the crowd. So, we're really looking forward to the opportunity to play there. It's going to be a great environment versus a great team."
They know it will be loud and are ready to face the challenge that Seattle will present to them.
"I think that we've brought awareness to the environment that is Seattle," Edwards said. "We got a lot of respect for the environment that they create with their fans, but we try to treat every away game process oriented."
The team's focus this week- to correct their slow starts against a talented Seattle team.
"There's always something to work on," McDermott said. "Even when you're winning, there's plenty to work on. So, we just got to go back to the process today and get back out there and practice and making sure we're out in the open, crossing the T's and ready to execute."
Bills QB Josh Allen added that it is of the utmost importance that they start off fast on offense.
"I think really in all but maybe one or two games we really haven't' clicked early on and it's taken us a couple of drives to feel out what the defense is doing and getting into a rhythm," QB Josh Allen said. "So, getting off to a fast start is our utmost important thing going forward. It starts with having a good week of practice, then going out and executing the game plan… We really feel like we're hurting ourselves, not so much what teams we're playing against are doing. It's something we're looking to clean up."
Injury Report
- Did not participate: LB Terrel Bernard (ankle/pectoral/personal), DT DaQuan Jones (foot/vet rest), TE Dawson Knox (ankle), WR Curtis Samuel (pectoral), DE Dawuane Smoot (groin).
- Limited: DT DeWayne Carter (wrist), S Damar Hamlin (ankle), WR Mack Hollins (shoulder), CB Taron Johnson (forearm), TE Dalton Kincaid (collarbone), LB Dorian Williams (knee).
Scroll to see the best photos from Wednesday's practice as the Buffalo Bills prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Brandon Codrington (29). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Eli Ankou (51). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Branson Deen (53). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Kameron Cline (96). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Marcus West,Zino Logue (97). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
KJ Hamler (19). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Austin Johnson (98). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Zach Davidson (84). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Frank Gore Jr. (20). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Baylon Spector (54). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Ray Davis (22). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
A.J. Epenesa (57). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Reggie Gilliam (41). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Khalil Shakir (10), Spencer Brown (79), O'Cyrus Torrence (64), Quintin Morris (85),Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Kingsley Jonathan (59),Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Austin Johnson (98). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Kingsley Jonathan (59),Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
David Edwards (76). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Tyler Bass (2), Sam Martin (8), Lucas Havrisik (30),Reid Ferguson (69). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Will Clapp (77). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Keon Coleman (0),Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Zach Davidson (84). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Reid Ferguson (69). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Ray Davis (22). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Amari Cooper (18). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
A.J. Epenesa (57),Casey Toohill (99). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Zach Davidson (84). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Brandon Codrington (29),Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Richard Gouraige (75). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Amari Cooper (18). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Amari Cooper (18). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Frank Gore Jr. (20),Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Baylon Spector (54). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Zion Logue (97). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (62). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Mack Hollins (13), Adam Henry, DJ Mangas, Keon Coleman (0),Amari Cooper (18). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Frank Gore Jr. (20). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Brandon Beane. Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Ray Davis (22),Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Rob Boras. Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Sean McDermott,Ray Davis (22). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Amari Cooper (18). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Reggie Gilliam (41). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Nicholas Morrow (52). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (62). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Cam Lewis (39). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Amari Cooper (18). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Mike Edwards (65). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Mike White (14). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 8 Practice, October 23, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
