It was a scorcher in Rochester on Tuesday during the second day of full pads. The coaching staff had the players working on third and long scenarios during team periods, and the team finished practice with a two-minute drill.
As for an update on injuries, offensive lineman Alec Anderson was transported to a local hospital due to heat related illness symptoms. Anderson is recovering and is expected to be released from the hospital Tuesday afternoon.
Safety Cole Bishop was injured during practice and did not return. Offensive lineman Mike Edwards (concussion protocol) participated in a red jersey after missing Monday's practice. Safety Mike Edwards (hamstring) and wide receiver Chase Claypool (toe) remained out. Running back Ty Johnson (hamstring), defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (vet rest) and linebacker Nicholas Morrow (vet rest) also did not practice.
Here are three things to know about the sixth practice of camp.
1. The defensive line's dominant day
The defensive line had their best training camp practice on Tuesday. During most team periods, the players were working on 3rd and 7+ scenarios, which allowed the defensive line to get after the quarterback. I counted six "would be" sacks during 3rd and long and two-minute drill periods combined.
"We got a veteran defensive line who have experienced playing together," safety Damar Hamlin said. "So, that comes with a lot of consistency and leadership."
The defensive line looked very consistent regardless of it being first, second or third team players on the field. The first sack of practice that I saw came from edge rusher Von Miller. On the next play, the 14-year vet lined up again and blew past the offensive line for what would be his second sack in two plays.
"Von looks like the Hall of Famer he is," Hamlin said after practice. "He looks amazing. He's back to being himself."
Two plays after Miller's sack, defensive end Casey Toohill came off the edge to pick up the third sack of practice. Toohill also batted down a pass later in the period. Defensive tackle Austin Johnson also found his way through the offensive line to sack the QB during a team period.
Miller finished with three sacks on the day. Left tackle Dion Dawkins described Tuesday's practice as tough, partially due to Miller's dominant day.
"You better watch out, 40 is back," Dawkins said of Miller. "(Von Miller) 40 has his aura back."
The final sack of practice came toward the end during two-minute drill. Defensive end Kingsley Jonathan and rookie Javon Solomon fought their way through for a "would be" sack on third down with 1:09 left on the clock. The offensive wasn't successful on fourth down, so the defensive picked up a turnover on downs.
2. Red zone one-on-ones + two-minute drill to end practice
It wasn't just the defensive line who had a standout day. The defensive backs unit was making plays too. Several different DBs picked up pass breakups throughout practice.
Before getting into team periods, the wide receivers and defensive backs did one-on-ones in the red zone. Wide receiver Keon Coleman and cornerback Kaiir Elam had some great reps against each other. During their first rep, Josh Allen found Coleman in the corner of the end zone for an impressive grab in the end zone.
The next time they went against each other looked like best-on-best in terms of an effort standpoint. Allen fired one to the left corner of the end zone, Elam ran stride for stride with Coleman as he got to the football. Coleman had to go up for the ball and contort his body to make the TD catch over Elam. It was incredibly athletic grab by Coleman, and Elam covered him as best as you could without getting flagged. Their last rep against each other resulted in the ref throwing the flag on Elam due to his coverage.
Nickel cornerback Taron Johnson had a great defensive play against wide receiver Khalil Shakir during one-on-ones. Allen hit Shakir in the left corner of the end zone, but Johnson played it perfectly and was able to force Shakir out of bounds before making the catch.
Coleman also went up against defensive back Cam Lewis. Allen tried to connect with Coleman in the corner of the end zone again, but Coleman slipped and didn't really have a chance at the ball. Lewis made a play on the ball and was able to grab it just before going out of bounds for the interception. It was a toe-tapping interception by Lewis.
During team periods, wide receiver Curtis Samuel, wide receiver Mack Hollins, tight end Quintin Morris and wide receiver Tyrell Shavers all had notable catches. Shavers had a busy target day as a pass catcher.
"He's getting his chance, and he's taking full advantage of it," Dion Dawkins said of Shavers. "I'm happy to see him take full advantage of it."
"His approach is where it needs to be," offensive coordinator Joe Brady said of the WR. "He's very accountable, and he has a responsibility in the offense. You can move him around, he can play all positions, and he always knows what he's going to do."
Cornerback Rasul Douglas, safety Cole Bishop, safety Taylor Rapp and safety Daequan Hardy all had pass breakups throughout practice. Bishop's pass breakup was close to being an interception. Rapp finished the day with two passes defensed.
Before going into two-minute drill, kicker Tyler Bass went five of six in field goal attempts. His longest make was from about 46 yards out and his miss was from around 51 yards out.
The first series of the two-minute drill started with five-straight completions from Allen, connecting with tight end Dalton Kincaid, wide receiver Khalil Shakir twice, tight end Dawson Knox and Shavers. After the Shavers catch, Allen and company had a second down play with 19 seconds on the clock. The QB looked for Kincaid but couldn't connect as cornerback Daequan Hardy broke up the play. The offense was faced with 15 seconds left on third down. Allen quickly found Morris for a first down. The next play, Allen tried to get it to tight end Zach Davidson, but Rapp broke it up. The offense settled for a 31-yard field goal with three seconds on the clock.
The second series started with 1:41 on the clock. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky quickly found wide receiver Andy Isabella for a first down. Trubisky couldn't connect on his next three plays, and the offense was faced with a fourth down thanks to a sack on third down by Kingsley Jonathan and Javon Solomon. On fourth down with 52 seconds left, the offense couldn't pick up a completion so it would be a turnover on downs.
3. Dion Dawkins' goal for himself + Joe Brady on Connor McGovern's camp
Left tackle Dion Dawkins is getting ready for his eighth season as a Buffalo Bill. During the last seven seasons, Dawkins has been named to the Pro Bowl three times and was recognized as one of the NFL's Top 100 players (96th) this July.
The LT is appreciative of the recognition, but in his eighth season, Dawkins wants more.
"I need to be an All-Pro tackle for Josh Allen and nobody else," Dawkins said. "I need to be 'All-Pro Shnow' for Josh Allen. Then, I need to be 'All-Pro Shnow' tackle for Dion Dawkins, and then for the rest of my team. Every year that I'm not that, I feel like I'm letting Josh down, even though I still do a great job."
Dawkins said his offensive coordinator Joe Brady has been doing a great job of helping instill that mindset in him every day that he walks onto the field.
"I tip my hat to Brady out of respect that he reminds me that every day," Dawkins shared. "I appreciate it. And that just shows that he understands his players. He understands who his left tackle is."
While Dawkins is trying to level up at a position he's held down for several seasons, Connor McGovern is getting used to life at a new position as a Bill as he kicks inside from left guard to center.
Brady said he's noticed McGovern and Allen staying after practice to get on the same page.
"He's so natural at the at the center position," Brady shared. "And he's such an elite communicator. That's so important as a center, being able to get everybody on the same page. We play so many games on the road and being able to talk, and he does a great job in the room just leading."
This won't be McGovern's first time playing center as he did so in college at Penn State.
Scroll to see the best photos from day 6 of the 2024 Buffalo Bills Training Camp. This gallery is presented by Connors & Ferris, LLP.