Bills training camp observations: Unheralded rookie seizes opportunity with Hairston out

Buffalo Bills rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston departed the team facility at St. John Fisher University on crutches Thursday.

The defense refuses to use injuries as a crutch.

"One of our goals is to prosper through adversity," defensive coordinator Bobby Babich said before the team's third straight practice in full pads. "We don't flinch. Next man up."

The next man up was another rookie cornerback.

CB Dorian Strong steps into spotlight

The Bills have had success with a sixth-round pick cornerback: Christian Benford. Dorian Strong may be the newest edition.

Babich said Strong would get more reps with Hairston out and the rookie held up.

He was beaten by Stephen Gosnell for a touchdown in red zone drills but bounced back with two pass breakups: one against Ray Davis, and another at the pylon, wrestling the ball away from tight end Zach Davidson.

“I really love the competition in that room and depth in (cornerbacks) room," Babich said. "There’s a lot of skins on that wall in that room. There’s a lot of youth we’re excited about."

Strong was selected with pick No. 177, nearly 150 spots after Hairston at No. 30 overall.

We're live with Bobby Babich as he meets with the media before Bills Camp! https://t.co/831HlcRQd8

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) July 31, 2025

Bills don't confirm Maxwell Hairston will miss at three weeks

Maxwell Hairston avoided an ACL injury when he went down with a non-contact injury on Tuesday.

The Bills confirmed Hairston suffered an LCL sprain, but they stopped short of confirming NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport’s post on X that the rookie will miss at least three weeks.

“It’s tough," Babich said of Hairston's injury. "The NFL is not worried about us trying to get him caught up. We’re going to everything we can do make sure he’s ready to go.

“The biggest thing I tell any guy potentially facing adversity with injury is don’t let negative thoughts get into your head. I believe negativity in your mind can affect your recovery process. Stay positive.”

Hard Knocks follows Bills' big personalities

Maybe “Hard Knocks” isn’t so bad to have around after all.

Tre’Davious White grabbed a boom mic from the HBO crew and turned sideline drills into karaoke, belting out a song while thrashing his head alongside Christian Benford.

Defensive tackles Ed Oliver and DeWayne Carter also drew the cameras’ attention as they hammed it up on the sideline.

The first episode of "Hard Knocks' premieres Aug. 5 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

Stock up: WR Keon Coleman

Keon Coleman had touchdowns in back-to-back drills.

In 7-on-7s, the second-year wide receiver was clamped by Dane Jackson but Josh Allen bought time with his legs and found Coleman for a score. During 11-on-11s, a busted coverage on a blitz let Coleman slip past Damar Hamlin for a wide-open touchdown.

Joe Andreessen and Baylon Spector battle at linebacker

Injuries to Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams opened the door for Joe Andreessen and Baylon Spector to take first-team reps, and both flashed in coverage.

Andreessen broke up a throw to Ty Johnson in the flat. Spector later blanketed Ray Davis to keep a pass out of reach.

Josh Allen connects with tight ends

Josh Allen found two different tight ends for touchdowns in full-team drills, rookie Jackson Hawes and Dalton Kincaid, both on sharp out routes near the end zone.

WR Joshua Palmer limited

Joshua Palmer was evaluated by trainers early in practice and didn’t participate in team drills. He remained on the field without a helmet, staying engaged as he watched plays and reviewed routes with Keon Coleman.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Dorian Strong seizes shot with Maxwell Hairston injured at Bills camp