Josh Palmer didn’t need a busy night to make his point in the Bills’ season opener on Thursday.
The former Tennessee receiver broke through with the biggest play of the game for Buffalo, turning a first-quarter opening against the Lions into a 43-yard touchdown from Josh Allen. At the time, the Bills were already up 7-0, and the strike only widened the gap. It was Palmer’s lone catch of the game, but it landed with plenty of weight.
Palmer is now in his second season with Buffalo after spending most of his NFL career with the Los Angeles Chargers. He has long been viewed as a role player, and that remains true in Buffalo, but the early returns are pointing toward what could be his best season yet. He is just days away from turning 27.
The numbers through one game are eye-catching enough to make the point. Palmer has 77 receiving yards on two catches with two touchdowns, and Field Yates noted that puts him on pace for 17 touchdowns on 17 receptions, along with 655 receiving yards.
Josh Palmer’s current 2026 pace:17 catches655 receiving yards17 receiving touchdowns pic.twitter.com/oOB3A6QpZ0
That kind of pace is almost certainly not going to hold, but it still reflects how quickly Palmer has become a more noticeable piece of the Buffalo passing game than many expected. He is already being viewed as one of the Bills’ better receivers, and there’s a sense he could keep earning more chances as the season goes on alongside Keon Coleman, DJ Moore, and Khalil Shakir.
In Other News...
Former Vol Returns To Neyland With Added Intrigue For Tennessee
Cam Millers path has brought him back to Knoxville in an unexpected way, with the former Tennessee receiver turned defensive back set to line up against the Vols at Neyland Stadium this week. Miller began his college career at Tennessee in 2022 as a four-star receiver recruit, but after one season he moved on and eventually landed at Kennesaw State for his final year.
Now healthy again, Miller is expected to be on the field when Kennesaw State meets his old program, adding a little extra intrigue to a matchup that already carries the usual feel of an early-season tuneup. For Tennessee, it is one more reminder that roster movement can circle back quickly, and for Miller it is a chance to revisit the place where his college career started, only this time from the other sideline. [Read more 🡒]
Neylands New Entry Plan Puts Tennessee Fans On The Clock
Tennessee is trying to make the first trip into Neyland Stadium feel a little smoother for Saturdays game against Kennesaw State, doubling the number of metal detectors to 65 in an effort to speed up fan entry. The school is also adding new detector locations and providing updated instructions for fans and students, part of a broader game-day push as the stadium continues to evolve around them.
The timing fits a venue that already looks and sounds different from seasons past. Neyland now has a new sound system, a widened concourse and ongoing construction tied to the 865 Neyland entertainment district, which means Volunteers fans are navigating a stadium experience that is still very much in transition. For now, the biggest variable may be how quickly everyone adjusts to the new entry plan once the gates open. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee's Loaded 2027 Class May Not Be Done Adding Yet
Tennessees 2027 recruiting class already looks crowded, with 19 commitments and a core that includes names such as David Gabriel-Georges, Kesean Bowman and Malik Howard. Even at this stage, the Vols have managed to build real momentum with a group that has drawn attention for both its size and its talent, and the staff is still making sure it stays active on the trail while the class continues to take shape.
One of the latest moves came with a scholarship offer to Joshua Lane, a three-star defensive line prospect who is currently committed to Memphis but has been on the radar of multiple programs. It is another sign that Tennessee is still evaluating ways to add to an already loaded group, and with several recruits turning heads in recent performances, the possibility of more movement in the class is still very much alive. [Read more 🡒]