News and notes from Wednesday's practice at One Bills Drive:
Injury report
- Did not participate: S Taylor Rapp (concussion protocol), OT Dion Dawkins (hamstring), WR Khalil Shakir (ankle), DT Austin Johnson (oblique)
- Limited: CB Taron Johnson (forearm), LB Terrel Bernard (Pectoral)
Houston Reunion
It's not just Texans WR Stefon Diggs that the Bills are familiar with this week. Houston DT Tim Settle, DE Jerry Hughes and QB Case Keenum were all in Buffalo at one point or another during their careers.
Bills QB Josh Allen said it'll be fun pregame to stop and say hi to several players he was close with during their time in Buffalo.
"Guys that I spent a lot of time with, and guys I still care about," Allen said.
When specifically asked about seeing Diggs again, Allen continued to show love and respect for his former teammate, as he's done numerous times throughout the last few months.
"I've got a lot of love for (Diggs). I still do," Allen shared. "The things that he did for me in my career, and the things that he did in a Buffalo Bill uniform won't be forgotten anytime soon, especially from me."
The Bills QB anticipates the two will exchange pleasantries during pregame warmups.
"Yeah, I'll say what's up, and hopefully the favor's returned, I'm sure it will be," Allen said.
Cornerback Rasul Douglas had nothing but positive things to say Wednesday about Diggs as the two overlapped in Buffalo during the back half of the 2023 season. Douglas routinely went up against Diggs in practice last year.
"He's competitive," Douglas said. "So you just know he's going to get everyone to compete. Probably wakes up with a little bit more juice than a regular game. But Stef is Stef. He's a competitor. He's one of the best receivers."
McDermott: Bills "respect" league's decision on Miller suspension
Bills head coach Sean McDermott addressed the media prior to the start of practice and one of the first things he was asked about was his reaction to the NFL's decision to suspend LB Von Miller the next four games for "violating the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy."
Miller is now suspended without pay for upcoming games against the Texans, Jets, Titans and Seahawks.
"It's certainly an unfortunate situation and we respect the decision made by the league, and really it's out of our control. And what we need to focus on is it's an opportunity for someone on our football team to step up," McDermott said.
Out of respect for the situation, McDermott declined to further discuss the exact reason for Miller's suspension and whether or not it tied into an alleged domestic violence incident in 2023. Previously, Miller had stated the allegations were "100% false."
"I'm not in a position to go into the details on it so you can assume what you can assume. That's where we're at on it," McDermott said.
Without Miller for the next four games, McDermott stressed the importance of other players on defense stepping up in his absence.
"(The defense) had to deal with quite a few situations, injuries, now in this case the suspension with Von. So I expect the same, quite honestly, somebody is going to step up," McDermott said. "That's what's in that locker room. Somebody needs to step up and they have to this point."
Bernard on potential Week 5 return: "Taking it day by day."
Bills LB and defensive captain Terrel Bernard was limited in Wednesday's practice but did manage to shed the red non-contact jersey in favor of the typical blue practice jersey. Bernard is continuing to work his way back from a pec injury suffered in the Week 2 win at Miami and shared with the media that he's still unsure of his playing status for Sunday at Houston.
"I'm feeling better. Still a little bit more work to do figuring out just getting back comfortable out there, doing all the things I got to do and all the things I need to do to help this team," Bernard said. "But excited to be back out at practice, be with the guys making the calls, being in the game plan."
The third-year linebacker did clarify that he has been dealing with a partially torn muscle.
"What did my chest feel like? That sh— hurt. I partially tore a muscle, so it didn't feel good. But luckily, we got a great training staff and a coaching staff that has helped me get myself back in shape and back to a level where I want to be when I'm out on the field," Bernard said.
Bernard added that the biggest hurdle for him to get back on the field for Sunday's game is making sure he has full strength in his upper body.
"More than anything it's a strength thing, just how functional it is. That's why practicing and going through, trying to get as close to live reps as possible. Just so come Sunday, I'm comfortable, and they're comfortable putting me back out there," he said.
Johnson taking his return "one day at a time"
Bills CB Taron Johnson returned to practice for the first time since his forearm injury suffered in the season opener. Johnson wore a red non-contact jersey along with a wrapping on his right arm.
"It feels good. It's definitely getting better one day at a time," Johnson said.
On his chances of playing Sunday?
"We'll see," he said.
