ESPN

‘The fosters who work with Nickel City Canine Rescue selected 19 dogs that they were able to save. It is the same shelter that the Shakirs’ dog, Missy, was rescued from by Nickel City, and then adopted by the family last year.’

‘The deal is similar to what the team did with former starting safety Micah Hyde last season, signing him to the practice squad in December. Hyde did not end up playing for the Bills, but helped as a support to the defense, specifically the team’s young defensive backs, however, this signing is much earlier in the year.’

‘Hairston suffered the injury during individual drills at training camp practice July 29 and has not returned to practicing since. The rookie was in a competition for the No. 2 cornerback role with veteran Tre’Davious White before the injury. White left Thursday’s practice early with a lower leg injury but is on the 53-man roster.’

‘Sean McDermott said that they are trying to figure out the room behind the top three (Shakir, Coleman and Palmer) and there are still some major lingering question marks. Curtis Samuel’s job security is in question after missing most of training camp with a hamstring injury and then sitting out all three preseason games, including Saturday’s game with an illness. Shavers had a 53-man roster worthy performance in the final preseason game.’

‘”[You’ve] got the reigning MVP, and I feel that he’s shown to this point that he’s in a good spot,” McDermott said. McDermott noted his responsibility to protect Allen and the team, and that Allen is “on schedule and he’s looked good.”‘

‘”Annoyed. It sucks,” Hoecht said on the bye timing. “I’m chomping at the bit, and in general, no matter what, you want your bye week as late in the season as possible cause hopefully we’re playing deep in the playoffs. That’s the goal. No, but it’s fine. I mean, again, can’t control that.”‘

‘McDermott did not mention any specific players and acknowledged that Josh Allen and most of the team’s starters rested because the Bills wanted to prioritize keeping them healthy, adding that he felt they were moving in the right direction with the first unit during coming off last week’s joint practices with the Bears.’

‘Trubisky’s goal remains to be a starting quarterback. Despite his tenure not working out as the Bears’ franchise quarterback, Trubisky’s return to Chicago for joint practices and a preseason game (8 p.m. ET, Sunday, Fox) brings back happy memories and is a reminder of what he still wants to accomplish in his career.’

‘The extension comes a day after Cook returned to Bills practice Tuesday following a hold-in that spanned more than a week, during which the running back missed Buffalo’s first preseason game. Cook was in full uniform and fully participated throughout Tuesday’s session. He missed four practices during the hold-in, although he did warm up with the team before the preseason game.’

‘ Bills coach Sean McDermott said he expected Cook to return to practice earlier Tuesday, adding that “things have changed.” “We’ve had conversations with James,” McDermott said. “Good conversations, as I’ve mentioned before, and the information that we’re getting is that he is moving in the direction of practicing today.’

‘He took part in the drills, even taking a snap with the first-team offense during 11-on-11 drills during the warmups. But when it came time for the game to start, Cook came out with his teammates still with some of his uniform on but with a beanie on his head instead of a helmet. He did not take a snap in the game despite coach Sean McDermott saying that he wanted him to. Cook is seeking a contract extension and has not participated in the last four practices over the past six days.’

‘Cook briefly appeared at the team’s practice but not in uniform. Instead, he was in workout gear and a beanie. He walked by the outskirt of the field, inside a portable toilet and then went back out towards the team’s locker room. Cook did not appear at practice for the rest of the day.’

‘The Bills said “no comment” when asked about Cook, who is in the final year of his rookie deal, not participating in Sunday’s practice. His agent did not return a request for comment. Cook was not included in coach Sean McDermott’s list of injured players not participating ahead of the session.’

‘”[Shakir has] dealt with [a high ankle injury] before,” McDermott said. “He’s extremely tough. Big part of our offense. So, it’s going to take some time. High ankles normally do. So, it’s an opportunity for, again, somebody else to show us what they’ve got, and we will see how that goes.”‘

‘Hairston was competing with returning veteran and 2017 Bills first-round pick Tre’Davious White for the No. 2 cornerback job opposite Christian Benford, and that battle will take a pause with the rookie set to miss time. Other cornerbacks on the roster competing for roster spots include Dane Jackson and Ja’Marcus Ingram.’