As the Buffalo Bills wrap up training camp, there’s a rollercoaster filled with breakthroughs from rising stars, excitement from “Hard Knocks”, setbacks from injuries, and a lingering contract ordeal.
Although there have been many great performances in camp from the whole roster, one person who has shined brighter is Keon Coleman.
The Bills’ Shining Stars
For weeks, reports have come out every single day about how fantastic a camp Coleman is having. If a Most Improved Award were to be given out based on camp, it would go to Coleman.
Along with Coleman, rookie Dorian Strong has had a camp that’s lived up to his last name. The rookie has had multiple solid days and has been getting extra reps after injury trouble in the Bills’ secondary.
Strong capped off the day on Aug. 6 by picking up an interception in camp, continuing to flash potential.
Hard Knocks Brings Bills Fans Inside the Action
Continuing the excitement of training camp, on Aug. 6, HBO Max released the first episode of this season’s edition of “Hard Knocks” featuring the Buffalo Bills.
Despite only one episode being out, fans have already gotten a deep dive into the behind-the-scenes of Bills training camp, getting to see the players in their rawest form.
“Hard Knocks” has also provided early glimpses into the connection between Josh Allen and Joshua Palmer, who are working together for the first time.
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Fans also got a look into some off-field entertainment from the team, with things such as Dion Dawkins drifting, scooters on campus, and AJ Epenesa’s snake catching in the off-season.
With the behind the scenes fun of “Hard Knocks”, also comes the firsthand view of the setbacks the Bills have suffered in camp, such as Maxwell Hairston’s knee injury.
The Injury Bug Keeps Biting
One of the biggest shadows being cast over the Bills’ training camp is Hairston’s knee injury. The rookie, who showed great promise through camp, suffered an LCL sprain on July 29.
It’s fortunate that Hairston’s ACL is intact, but the injury will sideline the CB for at least three weeks, which will make him questionable for Week 1 of the regular season and set him back in his development as a rookie.
Unfortunately, the injury train continues for Buffalo, with Tyler Bass and Dorian Williams both being sidelined for a significant portion of camp.
Fortunately, Williams returned to practice before camp ended, and Bass is looking better.
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To add insult to the injuries that have set the Bills back at camp, James Cook has been moving away from the team as he awaits a contract extension.
Cook Contract Ordeal Continues
Cook started camp as a full participant, and signs were pointing to him playing strongly through the contract negotiations. That was until Cook stopped practicing and became short with the media.
Cook has been holding in since Aug. 3, has attended practice in street clothes, and has told the media “business” is the reason why.
Despite this, Allen has been nothing short of supportive of Cook.
Training camp has been filled with nothing short of ups and downs for both the Bills and their fans. Both should hope the lows come to an end by seeing strong comebacks from injury, as well as a resolution coming soon to Cook’s holdout.
The Bills will kick off their season with their first pre-season game on Aug. 9 against the New York Giants.
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