The contributions from the Bills rookie class is growing, Hyde healing up and Hughes’ all-around game on full display.
Buffalo Bills Insider Chris Brown provides the details. Here is his report:
Rookie contributions are growing
Every Bills fan who has watched the team’s first four games is well aware of the exploits of rookie CB Tre’Davious White’s exploits. He’s already earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors for his play in the first month of the season and leads the team in pass breakups. But he’s far from alone when it comes to the contributions of Buffalo’s 2017 draft class.
Second-round pick Zay Jones is seeing plenty of time on offense. Dion Dawkins has made two straight starts at left tackle and has held his own in place of the injured Cordy Glenn.
And now Matt Milano is expected to step into the starting lineup on defense for the injured Ramon Humber at linebacker.
“He’s ready,” said McDermott of Milano. “He’ll only get more and more ready as he puts the time in this week. I thought he came on a big stage last week and handled himself well for his first real live game action (on defense). What’s important is where we go from here. I think Matt clearly understands that, and then it’s important that we do things around Matt to help him as he continues to grow.”
Add in Tanner Vallejo being a regular on special teams and Buffalo’s rookie contingent is seeing a ton of action.
“We’re getting good contributions from our young players,” said McDermott. “They’re getting significant experience, which is all good stuff things we can build on. We have to continue as individuals to climb and move forward. Just like our football team.”
Hyde and Gaines limited in practice
Buffalo’s starting secondary will be on the mend this week in preparation for Sunday’s game at Cincinnati. Both safety Micah Hyde and CB EJ Gaines were limited in practice Wednesday.
“He’s got a couple of things going on,” said McDermott of Hyde. “Just overall soreness and a knee, but we hope and with the improvement he made over the last couple of days we’re heading in the right direction.”
Gaines is recovering from a groin injury that forced him from last week’s game.
Shaq Lawson, who missed last week’s game with a groin injury is also a limited participant in practice Wednesday.
Charles Clay has been excused from practice for a death in the family.
Hughes’ play tough to match right now
It would be pretty difficult to find a defensive player on the roster, or perhaps the league that is putting as many crooked numbers in the defensive statistics columns as Jerry Hughes. While his sacks are what grab attention for the Bills pass rusher, head coach Sean McDermott believes there is much to Hughes’ game than getting to the quarterback.
“I don’t spend a lot of time looking around the league,” said McDermott. “I know how Jerry is playing. He’s been phenomenal. He’s been coming off the ball. He’s been doing a lot of the little things.
“It’s easy to be a one-dimensional player and get numbers and all those things, but he has bought into the system being one-eleventh of the defense. He plays the run extremely well. From a complete-player standpoint I don’t know if you’re going to find a player right now who has played better in that regard.”
Hughes currently leads the team in sacks and tackles for loss. He’s tied for the team lead in quarterback hits (7) with Lorenzo Alexander and is tied for seventh in tackles.
According to NFL.com’s NextGen Stats, Hughes also has the sixth-fastest sack in the league so far this season based on total time. Last week it took him just 2.54 seconds to sack Matt Ryan.