CBS Sports

‘Davis spent his first four NFL seasons with the Bills as a fourth-round pick out of UCF. He caught at least six touchdowns in each of those four seasons, and delivered his career year in 2022, when Davis caught 48 passes for 836 yards and seven scores. He famously set an NFL record in the 2021 playoffs by catching four touchdowns in the 42-36 divisional-round overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Davis caught eight passes for 201 yards to go along with the four touchdown receptions in that game.’

‘Carter, 24, was in line for a significant role this season as part of the defensive line rotation behind starters Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones. The reigning AFC East champs are already down a pair of defensive linemen — Larry Ogunjobi and Michael Hoecht — for the first six games of the season after both were suspended for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy. The Bills did focus heavily on the defensive line during the draft, adding T.J. Sanders in the second round, Landon Jackson in the third round and Deone Walker in the fourth round. In the wake of Carter’s injury, Sanders and Walker especially will take on a larger role early in the season.’

‘This signing may be worth a shot to see whether Poyer can return to something resembling his 2021 season, when he earned All-Pro honors. That year, Poyer amassed 93 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks and five interceptions.’

‘Hairston was injured early in training camp, suffering an LCL sprain after what was described as a “freak trip up” during drills. Hairston’s timetable to return has been unclear, with Bills coach Sean McDermott stating in mid-August that the former All-SEC selection at Kentucky was still “a ways away” from returning to action.’

‘McDermott also alluded to his responsibility to protect Allen, a three-time Pro Bowler who has been one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks since his second season in the NFL. Durability has been one of Allen’s strengths. While his mobility renders himself to taking more hits than most quarterbacks do, Allen has made 118 consecutive starts (including the postseason) dating back to his rookie season. That’s the longest active streak in the NFL.’

‘It marked Buffalo’s first shutout in any game — preseason, regular season or postseason — since Aug. 26, 2022, when the Bills fell 21-0 to the Carolina Panthers in their preseason finale.’

‘”James could only envision himself as a Buffalo Bill,” Cook’s agent, Zac Hiller of LAA, told ESPN. “We are extremely thankful to the entire Bills organization and glad we could make that happen.”‘

‘”I would say that things have changed. And yes, we have had conversations with James. Good conversations that I’ve mentioned before,” McDermott said, per NFL Media. “The information that we’re getting is that he is moving towards practicing.”‘

‘”James is who he is,” Allen said while speaking with reporters Thursday. “He’s one of the best running backs in the league. It would be crazy not to say we want him out there. We desperately want him out there with us and hopefully something can get done.”‘

‘Mahomes has Jordaned them every time in the playoffs, which he did again last year in a tough season-ending loss for the Bills in the AFC Championship game in January. It was the fourth time the Bills have lost to Mahomes in the playoffs, all tough, close games.’

‘It’s no secret that Cook seeks a contract extension. He hinted this offseason while live on Instagram that he’s seeking $15 million per year, which is a number just three NFL running backs make, but did attend mandatory minicamp and training camp because, like Marshawn Lynch, he didn’t want to get fined. It appears Cook wanted to show the organization he wasn’t going to be a distraction, but it’s fair to assume that progress hasn’t been made at the negotiating table, leading him to change course.’

‘Cook spent the practice on the field and some of it alongside the injured players on an exercise bike, but was not on coach Sean McDermott’s list of nonparticipants due to injury. The Pro Bowler didn’t attend OTAs earlier this offseason and said he would attend mandatory team events, explaining that he didn’t want to face fines. He attended minicamp and participated in the first eight practices of training camp, but clearly his approach changed.’

‘Levy, who officially turned 100 on Sunday, received a serenade of “Happy Birthday” from the crowd inside Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium during Saturday’s Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony. Three of Levy’s former players — Hall of Famers Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas and James Lofton — initiated the impromptu celebration of Levy’s centenary birthday.’

‘Hairston alluded to the positive testing news Tuesday night on his Instagram story, attaching a photo captioned, “beyond blessed, thank you God” with a praying hands emoji to suggest a good report. The Bills did not practice Wednesday and return to their normal camp routine later this week.’

‘”We said a prayer for him and we (tried to) uplift him,” Jackson said after practice. “Hope to see him when we get in here and find out everything that’s going on with him and (hope for) a speedy recovery for him too. He’s been doing a great job at camp as well.”‘