Josh Palmer arrived at Bills camp with plenty to prove, and he’s spent the last week answering that pressure one catch at a time.
That wasn’t the way things looked when training camp opened in Pittsford, N.Y. Palmer, still 26, was coming off an injury-riddled season after hurting his knee and ankle in a Week 6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
The damage lingered into the spring, when he spent much of the workout program off to the side with trainers. With that backdrop, Palmer was viewed by some as a trade candidate and by others as a possible cut if he didn’t show enough this summer.
Brandon Beane made it clear at the start of camp that Palmer was determined to stick around and contribute.
“He doesn’t want to let his teammates down,” Beane said. “He wants to let them know, man.
I came here (to Rochester). I want to be a part of this. ...
I think he’s healthy. ... I think if he can stay healthy, the ball will find him and the ball kind of bounces around.
Sometimes it’s going to the tight ends. Sometimes it’s going to the receivers.
If he stays healthy, I think he’ll be able to help us.”
On Friday, during Buffalo’s final training camp practice at St. John Fisher University, Palmer delivered another reminder of why he’s been one of the camp’s bright spots.
Josh Allen fired a deep ball with pressure building on his right side, and Dee Alford stayed in excellent coverage. Palmer still found a way to make the play, locating the ball early, tracking it, and then working back to it before leaping for the grab.
After practice, Allen praised what he’s seen from the veteran receiver.
“He’s moving very well. Getting in there and really trusting the guys,” Allen said.
“I’ve got a lot of trust in him. He continues to get better.
And just continue building that relationship with him through routes on air and then live reps, as you saw today, going out there making big plays when we need it. So we’re gonna need to see more of that.
And he’s been doing a great job.”
Palmer wasn’t the only player making a case on Friday. The backup quarterback battle tilted toward Shane Buechele, who has been the more consistent passer throughout camp than veteran Kyle Allen.
Buechele’s best throw of the day came on a contested deep ball to Stephen Gosnell, an over-the-shoulder connection that finished in the end zone late in practice. Heading into the Bills’ scrimmage and preseason, Buechele has the edge in the race to back up Kyle Allen.
Skyler Bell also found the end zone. Buffalo has been asking a lot of the receiver, and he’s had his share of good moments and missed chances during camp.
On Friday, he caught a touchdown during the two-minute drill on a short throw from Buechele. Allen said Bell is a player who wants to be great.
“He doesn’t say a whole lot,” Allen said. “He’s got a really fun personality too when you’re around him.
A lot of success in college and he knows the opportunity that he has and the role that he’s going to play on this team this year. But he’s got to go out there and earn it and I think that’s what he’s doing right now.
I know that we’ve been putting a lot on his plate intentionally. And he’s been handling it extremely well.”
The defensive line made its presence felt too. T.J.
Sanders came away with a fumble recovery after a botched hook-and-ladder play and returned it impressively. Landon Jackson kept rolling with another disruptive day, blowing up a Ty Johnson run and adding to the list of plays he’s made throughout Buffalo’s time at St.
John Fisher University this summer. DeWayne Carter also penetrated the backfield and stopped a run attempt, then celebrated with teammates.
Kani Walker added another pass breakup to what has been a strong summer. The undrafted free agent, whose path to Buffalo came through assistant coach Jay Valai, has been stacking good practice after good practice over the first seven days. He still has work to do before he can be considered a roster lock, but he has gone from an unknown to one of the more noticeable players at camp.
There was also an injury update in the secondary. Maxwell Hairston watched practice on Friday, and Joe Brady said the absence was precautionary and not something the Bills are worried about.
With Hairston out, rookie Davison Igbinosun worked with the first team at cornerback and handled the reps well. Defensive tackle Zane Durant and cornerback Dee Alford also went into the medical tent during practice, though Alford returned to the sideline and appeared to be in good spirits.
In Other News...
Skyler Bell Is Giving Bills Fans A New Receiver Debate
Skyler Bell arrived in Buffalo with a rsum that already suggested he could force his way into the conversation. The fourth-round pick had a strong college run at UConn, capped by a 2025 season in which he led Division I Independent schools in receptions, yards and touchdowns, and he also helped himself with a solid showing of athleticism at the NFL Combine. For a Bills team always sorting out the back end of its receiver depth chart, that made him an interesting name before camp even opened.
Training camp has only sharpened the discussion. Bell has shown enough promise to make fans take notice in a crowded wide receiver room, and there is real intrigue around whether he can carve out a role early. The question hanging over him now is the same one that tends to follow young receivers in Buffalo: the talent is visible, but the drops have been a recurring issue, and those are the kinds of details that can decide whether a player becomes part of the rotation or just another camp storyline. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Backfield Suddenly Has A New Concern Fans Will Feel
The Bills backfield absorbed another uneasy moment at practice when Ty Johnson went down with a right knee injury during a 1-on-1 drill. Johnson was running at full speed before falling in obvious pain, and training staff helped him off the field, a worrying sight for a team already dealing with a growing list of recent injuries.
If the knee issue keeps Johnson out for any length of time, Buffalos running back picture gets even thinner and a little more unsettled. It would also sharpen the competition for depth spots behind the top options, with the opportunity suddenly much more open than it looked just days ago. [Read more 🡒]
Josh Allen Keeps A Bills Summer Tradition Going At New Highmark
The Bills annual Return of the Blue & Red practice at Highmark Stadium came with a fresh look this year, as the team introduced its new gray Nickel City alternate uniforms to a crowd getting its first real glimpse of the set. Josh Allen was front and center in the full gray uniform, paired with the metallic royal blue Charge helmet, keeping alive a summer habit he has made his own each time the team stages this showcase.
It was a broad uniform debut, with quarterbacks, punters and kickers wearing the gray alternates while other offensive and defensive players stayed in blue and white practice jerseys. For Buffalo, the scene was as much about the start of another seasons storylines as it was about the new threads, and Allen once again helped set the tone by turning a routine camp event into something the fan base will remember. [Read more 🡒]