Buffalo Bills camp update for July 27: Dawson Knox & Laviska Shenault return, but Curtis Samuel & Tyrell Shavers suffer new injuries. A bittersweet day.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
It was a classic 'one step forward, two steps back' kind of day at St. John Fisher. Just as Bills Mafia was celebrating the return of two key offensive weapons, the dreaded injury cart made an appearance, and a few more names were added to the sideline report. Sunday's practice was a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL, leaving fans to balance the excitement of players returning with the anxiety of new injuries.
Safety Taylor Rapp has been a ballhawk, making two interceptions in recent drills as the defense answers Coordinator Bobby Babich's call for more takeaways.
The biggest news of the day was a true emotional rollercoaster. The good part? Tight end Dawson Knox and receiver/returner Laviska Shenault were officially activated from the NFI list and are cleared for practice. Getting Knox's reliable hands and Shenault's versatile playmaking ability back is a massive boost for Josh Allen's arsenal. The bad? The receiver room, already in flux, took two more hits. Curtis Samuel, a key free-agent acquisition, was sidelined with a hamstring issue, and Tyrell Shavers was carted off with an ankle injury on the final play of red zone drills—a gut-wrenching sight for everyone watching. With David White Jr. recently retiring and Kelly Akharaiyi just signed, the WR depth chart is being tested early and often.
The injury bug wasn't limited to the offense. Starting linebacker Terrel Bernard is also nursing a hamstring, a significant concern for the heart of the defense. He joins DE AJ Epenesa (ankle) and LB Dorian Williams (calf) on the mend. While the defense gets thinner, they're also getting meaner. New DC Bobby Babich's emphasis on creating turnovers is already paying dividends, with Taylor Rapp looking like a man on a mission. On the other side of the ball, the offensive line is a key area to watch. As Connor McGovern mentioned in his recent interview, the focus is on fundamentals. That's being put to the test in the competition for the backup right tackle spot, where Tylan Grable and Ryan Van Demark are getting valuable first-team reps while Spencer Brown recovers.
Despite the injuries, the work continues. Offensive lineman Connor McGovern spoke about the importance of building on last year's lessons and trusting the process under Coach McDermott, even when evaluating players without pads. This mindset is crucial as the team navigates the ups and downs of camp. The red zone period that concluded Sunday's practice, while ending on a sour note with the Shavers injury, is exactly the kind of high-leverage situation the team needs to master. Every rep, every drill is a building block for the season.
While no fan wants to see injuries, they are an unfortunate part of training camp. The key now is how the Bills adapt. The return of Knox and Shenault is a huge positive, but all eyes will be on the daily injury reports for Samuel, Bernard, and Shavers. As the team continues its preparations for the first preseason game against the Giants, these position battles and the performance of the depth players have suddenly become even more critical. Stay tuned, Bills Mafia, it's already a bumpy ride.
