While there are only a few practices left at St. John Fisher University, several Buffalo Bills players have stepped up to show their talents and compete for a roster spot. Some players are more known to the fans than others, and the fans like to see them excel.
Cornerback Tre'Davious White and linebacker Joe Andreessen are two perfect examples of that. They have both played their hearts out during training camp to show that they belong on the Bills' 53-man roster.
Tre'Davious White and Joe Andreessen are pushing to start for the Bills in 2025
Tre'Davious White
Tre Day is back with his original team. For the first seven years of his career, White spent a successful stint with the Buffalo Bills and made wonderful memories. In 2023, White suffered an Achilles injury that kept him out for the season and forced the Bills to release him in the offseason.
In 2024, the skilled corner left the Blue and Red and shared action with the Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens, playing in 11 games. It was easy to see that he wasn't the same type of Pro Bowl caliber player he was when he was in Orchard Park.
It also didn't help that he was coping with nagging injuries that could have hindered his play. In 2021, White suffered a torn ACL, and it never healed properly, limiting him in 2022. In addition, he tore his Achilles in 2023, which hampered him in 2024.
But fresh off of signing a one-year deal valued up to $6.8 million, White, or as his teammates refer to him as "Uncle Tre", is back and looks in ideal shape to go out and win a Super Bowl for the city and the fans of Buffalo.
How Tre'Davious White can earn starting role
A lot of Bills fans thought White was going to fill in the depth chart at corner, in case of injuries. Now, with first-round pick Max Hairston out indefinitely, White is for sure inserted into the number two cornerback position.
White didn't return to Buffalo for a backup position. The 30-year-old wants to be a starter and show the team he still has what it takes to play at the NFL level.
He has been on the field with the first team defense for the entire training camp. He may have the advantage at the Bills' starting cornerback position opposite Christian Benford, especially with Hairston having a knee injury.
Don't be fooled if you see White starting opposite Benford on Sunday Night Football vs. the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.
Joe Andreessen
It's a story that should be made into a movie. An underrated but talented young player tries out for their local NFL team. Then, he finds out he makes the team and succeeds when given this once-in-a-lifetime chance.
For Buffalo linebacker Joe Andreessen, he did precisely that. He was put onto the field during the ' 2024 preseason, and consistently made plays when his number was called.
The Lancaster High School alumnus signed with the Bills after trying out with the squad in May. He surprised the Brass, recording 24 tackles in three preseason games. Andreessen made the 53-man roster for the regular season, and he was a long shot no more. As a result, he was named "Buffalo Joe."
A year later, and it's no longer a feel-good story about a local underdog. Buffalo Bills' second-year linebacker Joe Andreessen has been on a remarkable ride the past 14 months.
The University of Buffalo graduate went from a small-school college prospect to an undrafted tryout player to a roster longshot to now a 53-man roster member of the Buffalo Bills.
Now in his second NFL training camp, Andreessen has been taking second-team linebacker plays under second-year defensive coordinator Bobby Babich. In his rookie year, the 24-year-old appeared in 13 of 17 regular-season games, playing mostly special teams.
How Joe Andreessen can win second string LB over Dorian Williams
The skilled linebacker has a strong opportunity to grab hold of the fourth linebacker position alongside expected second-string linebacker Dorian Williams, who's been out due to injury.
Andreessen has been durable and less injury-prone, which will help him survive a daunting 17-game regular season schedule in the NFL. It may also be because while Williams has been out, Andreessen has been taking advantage of the reps that Williams could have been getting if he were healthy.
Babich no longer wants to hear the name "Buffalo Joe", as he feels that Joe is part of the Buffalo Bills team, as he refers to him as "Joe Andreessen, the Buffalo Bills player".