Due to a lower-body injury, Buffalo Bills rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston hobbled off the practice field at St. John Fisher University on Tuesday.
Nate Breske, the head athletic trainer for the Bills, was working on Hairston’s right leg while he lay on the ground. Bills cornerback Christian Benford gave the first-round pick a hug after he managed to stand up. Breske then assisted Hairston in leaving the field.
The injury happened on Fisher’s far back field during the team’s individual workouts. Hairston’s injury occurred during early workouts for the defensive backs.
The Buffalo Bills have been hit hard by injuries just six days into training camp. On Monday, 12 players were sidelined, including tight end Dalton Kincaid, a former first-round pick who was able to return on Tuesday. However, several others remained out, such as offensive lineman Mike Edwards and receiver K.J. Hamler due to heat-related issues, Alec Anderson with a knee injury, Larry Ogunjobi resting as a veteran, and DeWayne Carter dealing with an illness.
Meanwhile, cornerback Hairston is right in the mix for the starting spot opposite Christian Benford. Although veteran Tre’Davious White has handled most of the first-team reps, Hairston has made the most of his chances, including a standout play on Monday where he broke up a deep throw from Josh Allen to Khalil Shakir. Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich commented on Hairston’s development, emphasizing the need to stay even-keeled through the ups and downs of camp.
“Day 1 went quite well. “We have a lot of improvement to make on day two,” Babich stated. “Max makes a conscious effort to be the person and do the things that will help this team succeed. And the biggest issue about those guys—and the young boys in particular—is that they don’t plan ahead.
“You’ve got to stay completely focused on the present moment,” a coach explained. “If you start thinking too far ahead or dwelling on the past during training camp, it’ll overwhelm you—there’s just too much happening. You have to take it one minute, one meeting, one practice at a time.”
If Hairston ends up missing significant time, the Bills will need others to step up. Rookie Dorian Strong, a sixth-round pick, is expected to get more reps behind Tre’Davious White, while experienced corners Dane Jackson and Ja’Marcus Ingram will also likely take on bigger roles.