Orchard Park, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills held their final preseason game at Highmark Stadium on Saturday when they hosted the New York Giants in Week 1 of the preseason.
Josh Allen came out in uniform despite Sean McDermott announcing that he wouldn’t play against the Giants. Running back James Cook was also suited up after a six-day hold-in with the team. In addition to Allen and Cook suiting up, Buffalo saw several injured players in uniform. Cole Bishop (quad), Curtis Samuel (hamstring), Dorian Strong (undisclosed) and Kaden Prather (hamstring) were all on the field for pre-game warmups. Although most of the players listed above did not see any snaps in the game, it was encouraging to see them getting closer to returning to the field.
Today’s game was important for several players battling for a 53-man roster job or a spot on the practice squad. Who stepped up and who struggled? Here’s a look at who helped and hurt their cause on Saturday afternoon.
STOCK UP
Joey Bosa: Bosa does not have to worry about a roster spot, but the defensive end looked excellent in the opening series of the game. He applied pressure and batted a ball on third down to get the defense off the field. Bosa gave the Giants offensive line fits and that’s exactly what the team wants him to do to opposing teams in the regular season.
T.J. Sanders: The rookie popped early in the game for Buffalo. Sanders applied great pressure on Jaxson Dart. Dart was still able to deliver a touchdown pass on the play, but the rookie flashed.
Deone Walker: Sanders was not the only rookie to make an impact play in his debut. Defensive tackle Deone Walker showed explosiveness to get into the backfield on a play and went on to bat down a pass attempt by Jaxson Dart. He added another pressure in the next series that forced a Giants field goal attempt. It was an impressive debut for the day-three pick.
Tyrell Shavers: Tyrell Shavers made his case for a roster spot against the Giants. After hauling in a 12-yard completion early in the first half, Shavers would add a 58-yard reception right before halftime. The receiver should have had a touchdown on the play, but Trubisky’s pass was underthrown.
Jordan Hancock: The rookie defensive back had a roller coaster training camp, but flashed on Saturday against the Giants. Hancock made some good open-field tackles while laying some big hits on the Giants in the first half. He added a pressure on a third-down pass attempt by Jameis Winston that went incomplete in the second half.
Hancock later added an interception on Winston, but it was called back on an offsides penalty.
K.J. Hamler: Hamler was a star on the first episode of Hard Knocks. He starred on the field on Saturday as well, hauling in a 39-yard touchdown pass from Mike White on a 4th-and-4 play. Hamler was able to get behind the defense for an easy pitch-and-catch that resulted in a score.
STOCK DOWN
Zach Davidson: Zach Davidson had the chance to haul in a long pass from Mitch Trubisky late in the first half. The ball was thrown slightly behind him, but it was still catchable. Davidson was not able to complete the catch, however. Davidson added another drop in the second half on a pass from Mike White.
Jackson Hawes: Davidson was not the only tight end to have a bad drop on Saturday. Rookie Jackson Hawes added one of his own in the second half. Hawes is expected to be a blocking tight end, but you need to be able to catch open passes.
Landon Jackson: Landon Jackson did not flash like many of his defensive rookie peers on Sunday. His most notable play in the game was an offside penalty that negated an interception for Jordan Hancock.
Dorian Strong: Going against third-stringers, Strong gave up a touchdown reception late in the third quarter to Gunner Olszewski. Allowing touchdowns will happen, but Strong was not close to Olszewski on the play.
