Bills couldn't catch a break at debut of new $2.2B Highmark Stadium

· Yahoo Sports

ORCHARD PARK - The Buffalo Billsfirst practice at the new Highmark Stadium was dampened, literally, by a strong rain shower about halfway through, but also because of injuries to center Connor McGovern and running back Ty Johnson.

Coach Joe Brady did not have any specifics on either player and will meet with the training staff before announcing anything, probably when the Bills return to practice Monday at One Bills Drive.

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Johnson went down during a one-on-one drill when he got behind linebacker Joe Andreessen with a nice move at the line of scrimmage, but as he pulled away downfield he suddenly went to the ground. At first it looked like he slipped - this was before the rain - but then he stayed down and ultimately walked gingerly to the locker room with a trainer.

Not long after that, McGovern left an 11-on-11 portion for a couple plays after chasing down a defensive player after an interception, then returned to center but re-injured himself and this time he limped off the field, flanked by trainers.

Lloyd Cushenberry and Sedrick Van Pran-Granger split the first-team reps after McGovern went off.

It looks like it might be a hamstring and tackle Spencer Brown may have confirmed that when he said, “You gotta know your limitations on speed, I think. I don't know exactly what happened, but usually in those situations, hopefully it's just a little something. But I hope he'll be fine. He's a warrior.”

Here are a few observations I had from practice:

Josh Allen is happy to have a new home

Even though Allen enjoyed incredible success at the old stadium, it has been pretty clear that he’s glad the place is in rubble and the Bills are in their gorgeous new venue.

For good reason, too. The weather conditions in the old stadium could make things very difficult for quarterbacks, and in the new place, much of those issues will be lessened by the design. He’s also glad to be on natural grass.

“I'm not an extremely sentimental person in general,” he said. “We had good times there, but looking forward to having good times in the new one, too.”

Some have taken to calling it the House that Josh Built, a play on original Yankee Stadium being called the House That Ruth Built. He scoffed at that with a smile the other day, then explained why he was so excited to start anew across the street.

“It's really cool to be a part of a team that gets to play the inaugural season at a new stadium, a stadium I think that was long-needed here in Western New York,” he said. “I really don't know everything that went into building the stadium, I just know that we've got a new stadium, it's really nice and we're very excited to be in there. Excited just to feel the energy in there and get to know our new home.”

Allen didn’t have a great night throwing, but naturally there were a few highlight plays such as his dime to DJ Moore on a deep shot, and a laser over the middle for a touchdown in a two-minute drill.

“I love any time that you can see the chemistry between Josh and DJ continue to take another level, and different type of routes,” Brady said. “And the conditions not impacting the throws, so that's really cool. I loved how we finished the ones in the two-minute drill. We didn't blink, had great operation … and then Josh throwing an unbelievable play to Khalil.”

Preseason games will be telling for Mike Danna

The Bills’ starting offensive and defensive units are largely settled, the exception being left guard on offense, and then whatever combination will be used on the defensive line. Oh, and punter is still open, but is anyone truly paying attention to the punter competition. Wake me up when you pick a winner.

When the first wave of free agency concluded, as he often does, Brandon Beane dipped into the second level market and signed outside linebacker Mike Danna, the former Kansas City Chief who would bring experience in Jim Leonhard’s odd-man front, not only on the edge but also on the interior in certain situations.

But as we settle into the second week of training camp, Danna has been pretty quiet. Part of that is because he’s a veteran who is pacing himself and there have only been a few padded practices. Once the games start, the Bills will get a better idea of what the 28-year-old, two-time Super Bowl champ can bring.

However, he’s going to need to start showing something, especially since Michael Hoecht has been full go and looks ready to start the season. In some ways Danna was an insurance policy in case Hoecht’s recovery from Achilles surgery gave him issues.

With Hoecht, Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb and TJ Parker, it’s a crowded position, and the Bills also have third-year player Javon Solomon who has a chance to be a core special teamer. A roster spot is anything but a lock for Danna.

Joshua Palmer has something to prove

The wide receiver’s first season was pretty much a washout due to an injury, but Palmer has looked good so far and Allen has noticed.

“Yeah, 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, going out there making big plays when we need it. So we're gonna need to see more of that.”

Palmer is primarily in competition with Keon Coleman for the No. 3 spot behind DJ Moore and Khalil Shakir, and it has been juicy so far. Coleman has been his usual inconsistent self with a few drops, but he also seems to make a couple really nice plays in every practice.

Of course, that has been what he’s done in his first two training camps, so you have to wonder if there’s a step he’s ready to take, especially knowing the depth chart is a little deeper this season if you include special teamer Trent Sherfield and rookie fourth-round pick Skyler Bell.

Is there actually a battle at backup QB?

Kyle Allen was signed to be Josh Allen’s backup once Mitch Trubisky bolted for Tennessee, but so far Shane Buechele has looked better in practice. Some of that is a function of Buechele playing against the lowest rung of defenders, and part of it is that Kyle Allen just isn’t very good.

This has been a topic in the offseason because he’s a clear downgrade from Trubisky, and more than ever, the Bills need their indestructible starter who hasn’t missed a game since midway through his rookie season to stay healthy.

In the end, it would be hard to believe Buechele ends up being the better option, but at this stage, Kyle Allen needs to start looking better than he has.

Sal Maiorana has covered the Buffalo Bills for more than four decades including 37 years as the full-time beat writer/columnist for the D&C. He has written numerous books about the history of the team, and he is also co-host of the BLEAV in Bills podcast/YouTube show. He can be reached at [email protected], and you can follow him on X @salmaiorana and on Bluesky @salmaiorana.bsky.social.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bills couldn't catch a break at debut of new $2.2B Highmark Stadium

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