PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) \u2014 Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott put aside his concerns over the team\u2019s growing injury list, which now includes starting receiver Khalil Shakir, by saying he has no choice but to move forward in returning to training camp on Sunday.<\/p>\n
McDermott followed the Bills day off by opening his pre-practice news conference listing 15 members of Buffalo\u2019s 91-player roster as either being limited or not practicing.<\/p>\n
Shakir was among the latest additions and listed week to week with a high ankle sprain after he was hurt during the Bills annual Red and Blue scrimmage at their home stadium on Friday.<\/p>\n
Also injured Friday were receiver Josh Palmer (groin), one of the team\u2019s prized offseason free agent additions, and linebacker Shaq Thompson (groin).<\/p>\n
The injuries have particularly hit Buffalo’s receivers, with Curtis Samuel (hamstring) and backup Kaden Prather also sidelined. That leaves Keon Coleman as the only projected starter still healthy with Buffalo preparing to open the preseason by hosting the New York Giants on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we\u2019ve tried to do is pull back on some things in hopes of getting some numbers back. And that hasn\u2019t helped,\u201d McDermott added, in reference to cutting back on the number and length of padded practices. \u201cWe\u2019re moving forward. It\u2019s time for us to go and we got to get some work done and move this team forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
The most serious injury has been to rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston, who is out indefinitely after spraining a ligament in his right knee last week. Hairston is watching practice on crutches with no definitive timetable for his return.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to take some time. He\u2019s week to week,\u201d McDermott said of the first-round draft pick who was competing for a starting job opposite Christian Benford.<\/p>\n
“Here\u2019s a young player that is not only missing just the moving around, but also the mental part of the experience you get with through the reps,\u201d he added. \u201cSo there\u2019s no way to avoid it, he\u2019s going to be behind when he comes back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Injuries have been an issue for the five-time defending AFC East champions since opening training camp with four players on injured lists, including tight end Dawson Knox (calf) and right tackle Spencer Brown (back). Of those four, backup center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (calf) remains sidelined with McDermott hoping the player will be available to return in time for Buffalo\u2019s preseason finale at Tampa Bay on Aug. 23.<\/p>\n
Brown resumed practicing on Sunday as did starting linebacker Terrel Bernard, who missed a week with a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n
The rash of injuries has also affected Buffalo\u2019s special teams unit with kicker Tyler Bass sidelined with a pelvis issue.<\/p>\n
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