Bills training camp observations: Sean McDermott wanted physical practice – did he get it?
A recap of the Bills' first padded practice of training camp.
Before Monday morning’s fifth training camp practice, Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott knew exactly what he wanted from the first full pads workout at St. John Fisher University.
“I want to see nasty, physical football,” he said. “That nastiness has to develop here.”
That challenge issued, the Bills worked for nearly two hours under a broiling sun. No clouds. No wind.
Did it get nasty?
“Oh, I saw some nasty,” defensive end A.J. Epenesa said. “The defense came with some attitude and that’s what we need every day.”
Practice emphasized the inside run game and short passes, allowing the linemen to begin the process of callousing themselves up for the regular season.
“The first four to five days were all preparation for this (practice),” Epenesa said. “This is when we try to bring juice and tempo because football is played in pads and with intensity.”
McDermott showed the players video clips before practice of what he expected.
“We painted a pretty clear picture,” he said. “That nastiness has to be developed here. Clean, but physical.”
Buffalo Bills Matt Milano (58) after training camp practice in Pittsford on Monday, July 28, 2025.
Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News
Two notable nasty/physical plays came on tackled-to-the-ground hits by linebacker Matt Milano (after a catch by receiver K.J. Hamler) and linebacker Shaq Thompson (after a catch by rookie receiver Stephen Gosnell).
Was Gosnell expecting that kind of thump?
“Actually, yes, because I saw it happen (to Hamler) earlier in practice so I was like, ‘OK, anything can happen,’ ” he said.
Attendance
Did not practice (physically unable to perform list): Right tackle Spencer Brown (back) and center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (calf).Did not practice: Kicker Tyler Bass (pelvis), tight ends Dawson Knox (hamstring) and Dalton Kincaid (knee), linebackers Terrel Bernard (hamstring) and Dorian Williams (right calf) and receivers Curtis Samuel (hamstring), Elijah Moore (leg), Tyrell Shavers (right ankle) and Kaden Prather (left hamstring).
Injured during practice: Offensive lineman Alec Anderson (left knee) did not return.
Crossing the line
McDermott met with the media for the first time since throwing Anderson out of Friday’s practice for tearing off the helmet of rookie linebacker Hayden Harris.“Fights are going to happen; when you cheap-shot somebody, I have no respect for that,” McDermott said. “I thought that was a cheap shot so I sent him to the locker room and communicated clearly to him why I did that. I believe in Alec. He’s one of our tone-setters, which I love, but there is a line there.”
McDermott mostly defended rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston, who pushed Shavers late on the final play of Sunday’s practice, injuring Shavers.
“I thought (Hairston) maybe finished a step too long on the play, but we could sit here and complain and put our hands up in the air, but we’re competing and that’s football and some things are going to come up, unfortunately,” McDermott said. “That’s almost a bang-bang (play).”