The Bills were back in pads on Monday after a lighter practice on Sunday afternoon. Even though they are still a few weeks out from the home opener, Tuesday will mark their final training camp practice.
Here are three things to know about Monday's practice.
1. Top plays from practice
Bills quarterback Josh Allen had another strong practice to start out the week. Allen completed several passes with a variety of receivers because Stefon Diggs is still sidelined with a knee injury. During their first team period, Allen was flushed to the right and threw across his body on one foot to link up with Cole Beasley.
Jake Kumerow, Gabe Davis, Isaiah McKenzie and Devin Singletary all had productive days. Allen connected with Davis on what looked like a touchdown, but Davis bobbled the ball as he stepped through the end zone and out of bounds.
Like he has in several practices now, Kumerow had a few solid catches. Allen said Kumerow is a workhorse in practices.
"He just puts his head down and he works, doesn't talk a whole lot," Allen explained. "He is the definition of a gamer, like get in the game and do whatever it takes. But again, just being finely crafted with his skill right now and understanding different routes, different press jam techniques to get off. He's a big body receiver, he uses his physical tools. He's just a guy that you root for too."
Another throw that stood out was a deep pass by Mitchell Trubisky to Lance Lenoir. Trubisky threw a nicely placed ball that Lenoir was able to reach for and make a toe-tapping diving catch.
The defense had a couple impressive plays that could have ended up as touchdowns. Both happened in the same team period. Trubisky was handing it off and the ball came out, AJ Epenesa recovered the fumble and ran it into the end zone. Three plays later, Jake Fromm handed the ball off and fumbled. Olaijah Griffin recovered it and ran it to the house. Both plays happened at the far end of the field so it was hard to tell where the mix up happened that resulted in fumbling the football.
Rookie defensive lineman Greg Rousseau continues to make plays. The rookie had a sack and a tackle for loss during team periods today.
Running back Zack Moss who missed Friday's preseason game with a hamstring injury was back at practice today. Tre'Davious White who missed practice yesterday due to personal reasons was back at practice as well. Stefon Diggs (knee), Isaiah Hodgins (knee), Antonio Williams (stinger), Christian Wade (shoulder), Forrest Lamp (calf), Marquel Lee (Reserve/Covid-19) and Tommy Sweeney (foot) missed practice today.
Allen also told media he is still waiting to find out if he will play in Saturday's game against the Bears.
"I love playing," Allen said. "I want to be out there with my teammates. But, again, if I don't, I don't and I get to sit back and watch my other teammates make some plays and get some tape out there."
2. Cornerback battle update
With training camp technically ending tomorrow, defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier was asked to give an update on the battle for the opening opposite of Tre'Davious White. Cornerbacks Levi Wallace and Dane Jackson have each had flashes showcasing why they could win the job, and overall Wallace has had a very strong camp.
One didn't outshine the other in practice on Monday, but Frazier did point out the pass break up Wallace had in the end zone against the Lions on Friday.
For now, Frazier said it's too early to tell who's going to get the job.
"We still have more views that we need and I think this game against Chicago will help us with that," Frazier said. "We feel really good about where Dane is, we feel good about where Levi is, and we still want to make sure we have good quality depth at that corner spot. Levi has had a terrific camp, Dane has done some good things as well, but we need to continue this process."
3. How position flexibility can help the defensive line this season
We saw the defensive line mix, match and rotate throughout Friday's preseason game against the Lions like they have quite a bit through training camp. Defensive ends like Efe Obada and Boogie Basham rotated from defensive end to defensive tackle on multiple series on Friday night. For one look, Greg Rousseau, Obada, Basham and AJ Epenesa lined up together with just a couple minutes left in the second quarter.
Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier thinks the position flexibility of the young defensive linemen is a strength that can help out the unit this season. Frazier is looking forward to having a few more weeks of practice before Week 1 so they can continue to find out what combinations work for the group.
"We've just got to be able to take a look at things in practice as well as some of the games we have ahead of us in this preseason and just try to determine what's the best use of each guy's skill set," Frazier said. "It really is something we look forward to and I think Eric Washington, along with Jacques Cesaire, they're doing a really good job of putting the guys in different situations, each one of our defensive ends, so we can kind of get a better feel for what their strengths or weaknesses are and what they will be. That gives us some opportunities going forward, but we still have some time to be able to play with some things and take a look."
The defensive line wants to improve their pass rush from last season by putting more pressure on the quarterback with just four. Figuring out who can offer the right position flexibility to help win their matchup will be an important part to how the defensive line flows this season.
