The Buffalo Bills have one more tune-up game in the preseason Thursday before roster cuts and the regular season begins — a critical time for everyone from the starters down to guys fighting to keep a job in the NFL.
The Bills are still banged up at wide receiver with Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir missing practice, but in good news, rookie fourth round draft pick Skyler Bell was back in the action after being out with a groin injury.
“It for sure was frustrating,” Bell said. “Disappointing. A lot of just trying to stay mentally locked in because it’s tough watching everybody practice when you want to be out there. So I think just staying with the trainers, taking it day by day and just them, telling me like, ‘we’re going to get you ready. Just stay with it.’ Stay with the process.”
On the defensive side, second year defensive back Jordan Hancock has been making a splash in the preseason. He’s been thrown into the mix at both nickel corner and safety, but is taking advantage of every opportunity to show what he can do.
“I planted my seed last year, and it was just growing and growing every day with both positions being versatile … in a position where I have to play, either position safety or nickel, try and be the best at both spots for sure,” Hancock said.
“He’s a confident player,” defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard said of Hancock. “He’s going to make quick decisions in and play fast. You know he’s going to make mistakes.”
The Bills have one more full practice Tuesday ahead of their final preseason game Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.