Buffalo Bills Insider Chris Brown provides the details. Here is his report:
It’s the day before the Bills home game against the Titans. Shaq Lawson is on a plane ready to head back to Buffalo from South Carolina. He got permission from head coach Sean McDermott to attend memorial services for his good friend and former Clemson teammate C.J. Fuller, who died unexpectedly the previous Wednesday. Lawson’s heart is heavy, but he’s thinking about what he missed at the Saturday morning practice session. Before takeoff he texts Jerry Hughes for updates.
“He flew out Friday and came back Saturday and caught the night meetings and was still plugged into the game plan,” said Hughes. “He’s flying back and texting us and asking questions about what he missed. It’s great to know that he’s locked in.”
Forced to watch last year’s AFC Wild Card game from his couch due to a season-ending injury, Lawson resolved to be a more dedicated and committed player. One whose daily work ethic would have him making a difference in games rather than being a spectator.
In the 2018 offseason the defensive lineman got in the best shape of his life. He got his body fat percentage to an all-time low and dropped 15 pounds before reporting to training camp. A strong preseason followed.
His renewed commitment to the sport he loves and the teammates and coaches he respects reached critical mass last week.
In an effort to honor a friend while not interrupting his preparation for the Titans, Lawson’s professionalism reached a new level.
“I just knew I had to be there for both sides. I know I couldn’t let my team down Sunday,” said Lawson. “If I had an option to do both I was going to make it work. So I went down there Saturday to see the family and I had a chance to play the game too, and both sides would understand where I was coming from. I sat down and talked to my coaches to make sure I could do both.”
Lawson’s coaches also sat him down three weeks ago and asked him to move inside and play more defensive tackle in the penetrating three-technique position. The defensive end didn’t blink.
“It just gave me more that I can learn from and put me in better positions to make plays,” Lawson said. “Me lining up as a three technique I have a big advantage because I’m a lot faster than (the offensive linemen). They’re just trying to put me in position to make plays. It’s a lot more thinking, but I’ve adjusted to it quick. At the end of the day stay in your gap and create a new line of scrimmage.”
His first game in that role came against the Packers. Lawson registered three tackles including one for loss. Against Tennessee, he had an even greater impact on the game with a key forced fumble in the third quarter that led to a Bills field goal in their one-point win.