Bills coach provides surprising update on 1st-round pick who hasn’t played yet this season
Orchard Park, N.Y. — When the Buffalo Bills opened rookie cornerback Max Hairston’s 21-day practice window earlier this week, the expectation was that the team would use some of that time to ramp him back up.
However, Bills coach Sean McDermott was asked on Friday whether Hairston could be activated off the injured reserve list before this Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, and he’s not ruling out the possibility.
“We’ll see,” he said. “One day at a time and we’ll see how it goes. You want to be fair because he’s only been back a week now, give or take. The key is managing expectations. I know he’s a (round) number one (draft) pick but that said, he’s missed a lot of time. We’re trying to be delicate with the situation as best we can, support him and challenge him at the same time.”
Hairston injured his knee back at the start of training camp in late July. What was initially feared to be an ACL tear turned out to be a knee sprain, giving the 22-year-old hope that he could return to the field in 2025.
“When I found out that it was something that could be healed without surgery, I didn’t complain,” Hairston told reporters this week. “I just kind of took it to the chin, and just looked at it as a blessing in disguise.”
Hairston returned to practice on Monday as a limited participant. NFL teams are afforded a 21-day practice window for players ramping up toward a return from injured reserve. The players are then evaluated during that time and can be activated to the 53-man roster at any point within that window.
Hairston said he felt good at practice this week and will be ready for the call if McDermott and the Bills deem him ready to play.
“(The knee) Feels good,” he said. “I had a great time at practice, running around, playing fast and being out there with my teammates. … I just had a whole bunch of fun just running out there, thudding, working technique with my teammates, doing (individual drills) with my teammates, all that stuff just feel good to me.”
The Bills’ cornerback situation has been a roller coaster ride for fans since the start of camp. Veteran Tre’Davious White has started five games opposite No. 1 cornerback Christian Benford. Sixth-round rookie Dorian Strong played well in the opener against the Baltimore Ravens, getting the start for an injured White, but has since landed on injured reserve, too, with a neck injury.
While Hairston watched from the sidelines, he paid close attention so he’d be as prepared as he could when the opportunity presented itself to reenter the lineup.
“Just taking my mental reps so when I got back out here, it felt more natural, and I didn’t have to overthink as much,” Hairston said.
Back during training camp before he was injured, Hairston had some highlight-reel moments. His speed and quickness were obvious, even if he was also prone to some mistakes. Away from the field, Hairston said he emphasized reviewing those mistakes.
“(It was about what) I could do off the field mentally to learn the playbook, to learn the scheme, to see how people react, to see certain matchups of how my teammates look versus opposing guys,” he said. “And just being able to wait until I got my turn and finally got out there to practice.”
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