Bills camp observations: Receiver Kristian Wilkerson takes advantage of extra snaps
The Buffalo Bills returned to training camp practice Thursday at St. John Fisher University, minus three receivers who didn’t start practice (Curtis Samuel, Tyrell Shavers and Kaden Prather) and two others who didn’t take team snaps (Joshua Palmer and Elijah Moore).
One player’s injury in the NFL is another player’s opportunity. Or in the case of Kristian Wilkerson, injuries to several receivers.
The Buffalo Bills returned to training camp practice Thursday at St. John Fisher University, minus three receivers who didn’t start practice (Curtis Samuel, Tyrell Shavers and Kaden Prather) and two others who didn’t take team snaps (Joshua Palmer and Elijah Moore).
Bills receiver Kristian Wilkerson signed with the team in May a week after being cut by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
Enter Wilkerson, who received work with quarterbacks Josh Allen, Mike White and Mitchell Trubisky.
“You just try to step in and know your players and what to do and try to contribute,” Wilkerson said.
The Bills are Wilkerson’s fifth organization after Tennessee, Indianapolis, New England and Las Vegas. He has appeared in nine games with six catches for 60 yards and three touchdowns. Cut by the Raiders after this year’s draft, he signed with the Bills on May 19.
The Bills started camp last week with 14 receivers on the roster, but the attrition has been significant – seven receivers have missed at least one practice, and two players (Kelly Akharaiyi and Deon Cain) have signed since camp opened.
Wilkerson has experienced learning many offenses. His take on the offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s scheme?
“It’s very versatile,” Wilkerson said. “All the receivers move around and everybody can get the ball. I love it.”
Wilkerson’s splash play was a touchdown pass delivered by Allen.
“You definitely have to focus, because we can score on every play, so you have to know what you’re doing so (Allen) can trust you,” Wilkerson said.
Attendance
Did not practice: Center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (calf) and right tackle Spencer Brown (back) remained on the physically unable to perform list, but Brown was activated late Thursday afternoon. Also sitting out were Samuel (hamstring) and Prather (left hamstring), safety Cole Bishop (quad), defensive end Greg Rousseau (day off), defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (day off), cornerback Maxwell Hairston (right knee), kicker Tyler Bass (pelvis), offensive linemen Dion Dawkins (day off) and Alec Anderson (knee), linebackers Terrel Bernard (hamstring) and Dorian Williams (right calf). Anderson had arthroscopic knee surgery and is week to week.Bernard, Samuel, Prather and Van Pran-Granger worked on the stationary bike and with the medicine ball and ropes during practice.
Returned to practice: Receiver K.J. Hamler (heat illness), offensive lineman Mike Edwards (heat illness) and defensive tackles Larry Ogunobi (day off) and DeWayne Carter (illness).
Limited in practice: Shavers (right ankle), Moore (left leg) and Palmer (undisclosed) and tight end Dawson Knox (right calf) did individual work only.
Roster moves: The Bills signed defensive end Kameron Cline, who was on their practice squad last year, and waived/injured rookie defensive end Hayden Harris (hamstring).
Practice highlights
The best weather day of camp (overcast skies and temperatures in the high 60s/low 70s). … The Bills practiced in shoulder pads (no knee or thigh pads). … Allen’s only 7-on-7 period was in the red zone, and he was 4 of 6. Linebacker Matt Milano was called for pass interference on running back James Cook, and safety Taylor Rapp broke up a pass. Allen threw a dart on an extended play to receiver Keon Coleman and delivered a side-armed touchdown pass to tight end Zach Davidson.In 11-on-11, Allen took 22 snaps, White eight, Trubisky seven and Shane Buechele eight. … NFL officials were on hand and called three penalties, including pass interference on cornerback Tre’Davious White. … Allen completed passes to six players, led by receiver Khalil Shakir’s two. … Allen’s last two throws were touchdowns (Kincaid and tight end Jackson Hawes).
Three plays were aborted when the defense would have sacked the quarterbacks. … Rookie cornerback Dorian Strong had a heady pass break-up, staying with the play after Davidson juggled White’s pass. … Practice wrapped up with a jog-through (no contact), move-the-ball drill starting at midfield and 30 seconds remaining.