Buffalo Bills News Bills news: Observations from Tuesday’s open practice at Highmark Stadium Maxwell Hairston and Cole Bishop practiced, Ed Oliver, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and C.J. Gardner-Johnson sat out. by John Boccacino Aug 19, 2026, 12:47 PM UTC Facebook Link On Tuesday, the Buffalo Bills opened up new Highmark Stadium for an open practice session, an opportunity for many in Western New York to check out the Bills’ new palace for the first time. More than 41,000 fans took advantage of the opportunity to watch Josh Allen and co. run through their drills and workouts in preparation for the team’s joint practice with the Cleveland Browns on Thursday afternoon, followed by the teams’ preseason matchup on Saturday. Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off with the latest news and observations from the open session, including how two members of Buffalo’s secondary were back on the practice field. Check out the assessments and then be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section. ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 15: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills makes his way to the filed before a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Highmark Stadium on August 15, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) Getty Images Maxwell Hairston, Cole Bishop return to action The Bills are dealing with a slew of injuries heading into Week 2 of the preseason. On Tuesday, the team got back cornerback Maxwell Hairston and safety Cole Bishop, but were without the services of wide receivers Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and rookie Skyler Bell, defensive tackle Ed Oliver, running back Ty Johnson, center Connor McGovern, and safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Jalon Kilgore. Shakir and Oliver didn’t have injury designations, while Coleman was spotted wearing a walking boot on his right foot, and Bell has a lower-body injury. We also offer up other observations from the open practice session, learn how new wide receiver Dane Pettis is working to strengthen his rapport with Josh Allen, and hear from fans who visited new Highmark Stadium for the first time. ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 15: Cole Bishop #24 of the Buffalo Bills, Devin Lloyd #55 of the Carolina Panthers and Dalton Kincaid #86 of the Buffalo Bills pose for a picture after a preseason game at Highmark Stadium on August 15, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) Getty Images Maxwell Hairston, Cole Bishop return to banged-up Bills secondary - Buffalo News (subscription required) Bills get two defensive backs back for practice on Tuesday - WGR 550 Bills observations: Deone Walker flashes potential, injury list shuffles - The Athletic (subscription required) Buzz, news and more from Bills training camp: DJ Moore returns to practice - ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston returns to practice, aims to make impact in second year - WGRZ Keon Coleman, Jalon Kilgore among those out of practice - WGR 550 The Buffalo Bills wide receiver who caught a historic touchdown is now in a walking boot - newyorkupstate.com ’What the city of Buffalo is like’ | Three things we learned about the Bills during Open Practice at Highmark Stadium - BuffaloBills.com Bills observations: Dante Pettis leans on past chemistry with Josh Allen - Buffalo News (subscription required) Bills fans blown away by new Highmark Stadium - WGR 550 Even more Bills news Get to know Greg Gaines (pictured below), Buffalo’s newest defensive tackle. Plus, how safety Damar Hamlin is embracing working on his craft while flying under the radar; why big things could be in store this year for Khalil Shakir; why Tommy Doman is looking like Buffalo’s punter of the future; and more! TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 07: Greg Gaines #96 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sacks Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on December 07, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kelly Gavin/Getty Images) Getty Images Why the Bills signed a veteran nose tackle in the middle of training camp - Buffalo News (subscription required) Buffalo adds veteran DT, Patriots tryout 2 former Bills defenders - newyorkupstate.com Bills sign veteran DL Greg Gaines - BuffaloBills.com ’Prioritize the work’: Bills safety Damar Hamlin embraces working under the radar - Buffalo News (subscription required) Don’t overlook Khalil Shakir. The Bills receiver is ascending - Buffalo News (subscription required) Why the Bills may have found their future at punter - Democrat & Chronicle Buffalo Bills president says new grass held up well (despite a few divots) in preseason opener - newyorkupstate.com Bills brass ‘very happy’ with field at new stadium - ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog Which NFL market has the most passionate fans? Buffalo is No. 1 - Democrat & Chronicle Buffalo Bills articles recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings Will a new Bills defender set the tone as leader in 2026? - Buffalo Rumblings Did Josh Allen get more action than he’s used to in the first preseason game? - Buffalo Rumblings See where James Cook landed in NFL’s Top 100 Players list - Buffalo Rumblings Bills have signed their backup NT to Deone Walker - Buffalo Rumblings Why Bills signing of Greg Gaines was desperately needed - Buffalo Rumblings Keon Coleman didn’t take part in open practice - Buffalo Rumblings We now have more details on Keon Coleman’s injury - Buffalo Rumblings Is new grass field at Highmark destined for disaster for Bills? - Buffalo Rumblings Can you guess this Bills defensive tackle in today’s in-5 trivia game - Buffalo Rumblings Feed Post of the Day Chris Trapasso Star Aug 18 Poll Buffalo Rumblings Are you worried about quality of grass at new Highmark Stadium? Closed • 77 total votes Yes, definitely 12 % Maybe, still too early to tell 21 % No, grass > artificial turf 35 % It'll be fine... give it time 32 % Rec 0 Comments Thin Stroke Comment Icon Bubble Reply Read 17 replies
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