4 Observations: Keon Coleman jumps right in with starters as Bills open camp

PITTSFORD, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Buffalo Bills hit the field for day one of training camp at St. John Fisher University on Wednesday. Here are 4 Observations from practice.

📸🏈 Day 1 photo galleries: Practice | Fans

Matt Milano returns

Matt Milano didn’t look limited by the leg injury that knocked him out of last season. The Bills linebacker had no issue cutting, reading and reacting in pass coverage or against the run. It’s only one practice, but it was a huge for one of the best linebackers in the league.

Tight ends had big day

Josh Allen hooked up with Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox several times during the red zone portion of practice. There was one play in particular that stood out: Kincaid made a leaping grab over Taylor Rapp for a touchdown.

Coleman slides right in

Rookie WR Keon Coleman was with the starting offense more than I thought he would be early in camp, and he was up for the challenge. Coleman hauled in a touchdown in the back of the end zone during an 11-on-11 and should have had a second. Allen found Coleman along the sideline, but the officials called it incomplete. We went back and watched the play on the team video, and it should have been called a catch.

Safety battle

There was a surprise starter in the defensive backfield. Damar Hamlin was a first-team safety along with Taylor Rapp. Veteran Mike Edwards worked with rookie Cole Bishop on the second team. Edwards was dealing with an injury during OTAs and mandatory minicamp, so when he gets up to speed, I believe he will get some reps with the starters as well.

Bonus: New-look OL

The starting offensive line was shuffled up this offseason. Here’s how they lined up on day one of camp: LT: Dion Dawkins, LG: David Edwards, C: Connor McGovern, RG: O’Cyrus Torrence, RT: Spencer Brown.

Josh Reed is an award-winning journalist who has served as News 4’s Sports Director since 2015. See more here.