The Bills are packed up and headed back to Buffalo after finishing their final practice of training camp at St. John Fisher University. With their first preseason game on the horizon and a dozen training camp practices in the rearview mirror, here are the top things to know from Day 12.
Head Coach Sean McDermott's parting thoughts
McDermott spoke to the media before practice on a rainy Thursday morning, noting that the weather would not change his plans for the helmet-only training session. The Bills head coach gave an update on some of the players who have missed practice due to injury.
Edge rusher Von Miller and linebacker Tyler Matakevich remain on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list while tailback Damien Harris (knee soreness), cornerback Cam Lewis (groin) and fullback Reggie Gilliam (groin) also missed practice. Defensive tackle Ed Oliver returned to practice after missing yesterday's session with back soreness.
McDermott called this training camp a "productive" one, expressing his gratitude to St. John Fisher University for hosting.
"It's always good to come up here, the way we're treated and see our fanbase in Western New York in the Rochester area in particular and beyond and very thankful for how the St. John Fisher staff welcomes us with open arms," McDermott said.
McDermott has long expressed his belief that leaving Orchard Park and spending time in a true training camp environment is beneficial to creating chemistry amongst a team. He thinks that the team is coming together in and out of the locker room.
"I think this is a pretty close-knit group of guys and hopefully the locker room will continue to evolve over the course of the season," McDermott said. "I feel like we've accomplished some of what we wanted to accomplish and that'll continue to build, that chemistry, that rapport, the camaraderie will continue to build through the course of the season."
McDermott also gave updates on his plan for projected starters’ roles in the upcoming preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Kyle Allen adjusting to Buffalo's system
Quarterback Kyle Allen, who alongside Matt Barkley will backup Josh Allen this season, spoke after Thursday's practice. The quarterback is going into his sixth season in the NFL and his first in Buffalo. Like McDermott, Allen appreciated the retreat to St. John Fisher.
"I like coming here and just having everything here and from whenever you wake up to at night you're just with the team, with the boys and it's been great," Allen said. "This camp has been one of my favorite ones."
As Allen was signed just under five months ago, he said that training camp provided him with opportunities to grow accustomed to the offensive playbook.
"This was a big training camp for me," Allen said. "I need reps in this offense. So, I thought I got a ton of reps, installed a ton of stuff over the last 15 days and I think it was big for me to still work through things and figure out how I fit in this offense."
Kyle Allen cited working with Josh Allen as a big reason behind his improving comfort in the Bills offense, saying that the starting quarterback "sees things differently on a lot of plays." With McDermott confirming that Josh Allen will not play Saturday, Kyle Allen should see plenty of playing time. He believes that the way the Bills practice has prepared him for the game this weekend.
"I think the way we train here," Allen said. "We make practice really hard from a play call, from a situation standpoint so that when we get to the game, we have our refined stuff that we know we're gonna go and we'll be confident."
Notes from the final practice at SJF
Even with no pads on for Day 12, there was still excitement in the team drills and one-on-one matchups.
CB Tre'Davious White and WR Stefon Diggs split matchups in the first one-on-one drill, with White nearly intercepting Josh Allen's first attempt to Diggs but getting beat by a few steps in their following matchup en route to a touchdown from Diggs.
In an 11-on-11 drill, the defense forced three straight incompletions from Allen, with Micah Hyde getting a nice pass breakup on Allen's first attempt to set the tone for the short drill.
In the final team drill of practice, Allen completed four of his five attempts, all to either Dawson Knox or Dalton Kincaid. Kincaid caught a touchdown pass that was initially tipped at the line by defensive tackle Tim Settle.
The defense also accounted for a few would-be sacks, with DaQuon Jones "sacking" Josh Allen and Kingsley Jonathan getting to Matt Barkley. Jonathan also scooped up a Matt Barkley fumble and took it to the house.
The Bills will take the field at Highmark Stadium Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. vs. Indianapolis.
Scroll to see the best photos from Day Twelve of Buffalo Bills Training Camp
Sam Martin (8) with fans at Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Jordan Poyer greets fans at Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Sam Martin (8), Tyler Bass (2). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Micah Hyde (23). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Fans at Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Matt Milano (58) with fans at Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Bobby Babich, Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Tim Settle (99). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Reid Ferguson (69), Tyler Bass (2) at Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Greg Mancz (62), David Quessenberry (77). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Siran Neal (33), Al Holcomb. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Tre'Davious White (27). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Spencer Brown (79), Ryan Bates (71). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Mitch Morse (60). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Brandon Shell (68). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Connor McGovern (66), Mitch Morse (60). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Jordan Poyer (21). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Dawson Knox (88) greets fans at Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Joe Brady, Matt Barkley (5), Kyle Allen (9). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Senator Charles Schumer, Terry Pegula. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Joel Wilson (48). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Trent Sherfield (16). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Joel Wilson (48), Latavius Murray (28), David Edwards (76). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Andy Isabella (87). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
David Edwards (76). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Alex Austin (29). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Bryan Thompson (89). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Steve Tasker with fans at Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Cam Lewis. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Cam Lewis, Reggie Gilliam. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Kyle Allen (9), Josh Allen (17), Marc Lubick. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Tyrel Dodson (53). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Siran Neal (33), Dane Jackson (30). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
O'Cyrus Torrence (64). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Jace Sternberger (83). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Reggie Gilliam. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Eli Ankou (51). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Joel Wilson (48), Dean Marlowe (31) Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Eli Ankou (51). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Zayne Anderson (38), Dean Marlowe (31). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Kevin Jarvis (63). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Jordan Poyer (21). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Kaiir Elam (24), Siran Neal (33). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Damar Hamlin (3), Siran Neal (33), Kaiir Elam (24). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Bobby Babich, Travin Howard (45), Baylon Spector (54), Matt Milano (58). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Sean McDermott, Senator Charles Schumer, Terry Pegula. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Eric Washington. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Jordan Phillips (97), Leonard Floyd (56). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Poona Ford (98). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Deonte Harty (11). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Boogie Basham (55). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Joel Wilson (48), Jordan Poyer (21). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Jordan Mims (35), Travin Howard (45). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Ed Oliver (91), Eric Washington. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Shaq Lawson (90). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Tim Settle (99). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Dawson Knox (88), Matt Milano (58). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Shaq Lawson (90). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Senator Charles Schumer, Terry Pegula. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Tre'Davious White (27), Deonte Harty (11). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Kyle Allen (9). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Matt Barkley (5). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Tommy Doyle (72), Cortez Broughton (94), Kevin Jarvis (63), Matt Barkley (5). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Darrynton Evans (37). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Fans at Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Josh Allen (17) and the offensive line. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Josh Allen (17), Senator Charles Schumer, Terry Pegula. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Baylon Spector (54). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Eli Ankou (51). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Leonard Floyd (56). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Josh Allen (17), Ed Oliver (91), Mitch Morse (60). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Jordan Mims (35), Dorian Williams (42), O'Cyrus Torrence (64). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Darrynton Evans (37) Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Kyle Allen (9). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Quintin Morris (85). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Quintin Morris (85), Dorian Williams (42), Poona Ford (98). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Kyle Allen (9). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Justin Shorter (18), Dane Jackson (30). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Justin Shorter (18), Dane Jackson (30). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Kevin Jarvis (63), Kyle Allen (9). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Matt Barkley (5), Cortez Broughton (94). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Von Miller, \Eric Washington, Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Dawson Knox (88), Jared Mayden (36). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Adam Henry with the receivers. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Josh Allen (17) Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Ryan Bates (71), Connor McGovern (66). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Matt Milano (58), Tyrel Dodson (53). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Ike Boettger (65). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Joel Wilson (48). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Kyle Allen (9). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Dezmon Patmon (19), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Dezmon Patmon (19), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Shaq Lawson (90). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Tim Settle (99), Stefon Diggs (14). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Sean McDermott speaks to the team to close out Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Buffalo Bills close out Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Defensive ends and coaches. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Defensive backs and coaches. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Fans at Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Matt Milano (58) with fans at Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Moving out day at Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
