Maxwell Hairston finally got his first preseason run of the summer Thursday night in Orchard Park, and the timing couldn’t have been more relevant for the Bills.
Buffalo sat most of its starters in the preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Hairston was on the field and into the second quarter as he tried to work back from the groin injury that wiped out much of training camp and the first two preseason games. He’s not fighting for a roster spot. He’s fighting to keep a starting job.
That battle got a little messier against Pittsburgh. Hairston was beaten on one of the night’s low points when he missed an open-field tackle on a short pass to Germie Bernard. Bernard made a quick move, slipped the tackle and kept going to the end zone.
Davison Igbinosun also started at corner and played into the second quarter, and his night had its own rough patch with a missed tackle. But he responded with a stop at the line on a short throw to Brandon Smith.
The contrast matters because Hairston’s tackling concerns are already part of the conversation. He’s a smaller corner who has to win with speed and positioning, while Igbinosun brings a more physical style that could help him win the job or at least earn a share of it.
The Bills have a few other answers in the mix at that fourth boundary corner spot. Brandon Beane could choose to keep only three, with slot corner Dee Alford able to kick outside if needed.
On the roster right now, undrafted rookie Kani Walker is also in the picture after a strong summer. He entered in the second quarter, stayed tight in coverage on two targets, and was a little late to react on a run play.
Elsewhere in Buffalo’s 28-27 win, Frank Gore Jr. made a strong case to stay in the conversation at running back. Ian Wheeler has been one of the summer’s most talked-about names after winning MVP in the UFL championship game, but Gore reminded everyone why he’s been Buffalo’s No. 4 back in recent seasons.
He started, caught three passes for 16 yards and turned a screen into a goal-line run that set up his own rushing touchdown, giving the Bills their first end zone trip of the night. If Ty Johnson isn’t ready early in the regular season, Gore is firmly in the mix.
Buffalo could even cut both backs and try to get one back on the practice squad.
The edge rusher group remains a numbers puzzle, too. The Bills could carry six outside linebackers: Bradley Chubb, Greg Rousseau, Michael Hoecht, T.J.
Parker, Javon Solomon and Mike Danna. Getting there might force Beane to go light at another spot, like wide receiver.
Danna and Solomon have looked pretty similar this summer, while Andre Jones Jr. has made a push of his own with a sack in the second quarter. Still, Danna’s playoff background and Solomon’s special teams value give them an edge, and Jones would be a likely claim if Buffalo tried to sneak him through waivers.
The punter battle may be close to over. Mitch Wishnowsky had a rough first half, including a 19-yard punt that struck a chain worker in the face.
His first two punts didn’t look NFL-caliber either, and while he did settle down on his third try, rookie Tommy Doman kept beating him. Doman launched a 49-yard punt out of bounds, then kept booming kicks, finishing that stretch averaging 54.7 yards per punt with two inside the 20 before a later punt was returned for a touchdown after missed tackles on special teams.
He also held for Tyler Bass’ made field goal and handled kickoffs.
Skyler Bell also made his preseason debut after missing the first two games with injuries, and he looked ready for a bigger role whenever it comes. Bell caught seven passes for 49 yards, though he might have done even more if Shane Buechele hadn’t sailed an early throw over him.
He also added a 28-yard touchdown run. With DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and Joshua Palmer ahead of him, Bell will have to wait for his chances, but he looked like someone who can help once those chances arrive.
T.J. Parker continued to pop as well.
Buffalo’s first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft had a rush where he got to the quarterback’s arm and knocked the ball into the air, nearly creating a sack and possibly an interception. He also batted down a pass and added to a preseason resume that already includes a sack in the opener and a holding penalty drawn against the Browns while closing in on Shedeur Sanders.
The Bills may have treated Thursday night like a final tune-up, but for a few players, the real roster conversation is just getting started.
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