The Buffalo Bills will be playing in their season opener in less than two weeks, which will kick off their new era of Bills football that they have entered in. Since January, Bills fans have seen a ton of change in the coaching staff and the roster. Soon, all of it will come together on the field when the Bills take on the Houston Texans.
The final roster is all set, the practice squad is ready to go, and soon enough there will be some real football to enjoy.
The Bills have had to deal with some injuries this summer, but not to the extent that they have in recent memory. However, one key injury that they have had to deal with involved their starting center in Connor McGovern.
Injury to Connor McGovern was a concern for Bills fans
During the Bills "Return of the Red and Blue" practice back in August, McGovern suffered a lower leg injury that kept him out for the preseason and it wasn't a great sight to see for fans. Luckily, it wasn't any super major. At the same time, the Bills got to evaluate the backup position that Lloyd Cushenberry III ended up winning as Sedrick Van Pran-Granger was traded to the Indianapolis Colts.
With less than two weeks before the Bills' first game against the Texans, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News was able to provide a great update about McGovern. According to Lysowski, McGovern had let the media know that "he got more than half of the snaps today in his return to practice."
Bills center Connor McGovern told reporters that he got more than half of the snaps today in his return to practice.
— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) September 1, 2026
Obviously a good sign for his availability in Week 1.
McGovern being back at practice is a great sign already. Now with this update from Lysowski about how McGovern is already taking back the starting reps is great momentum that the Bills should have their full starting offensive line when they go down to Houston.
Bills need Connor McGovern to help protect Josh Allen vs. Texans
Everyone that watched the Bills and Texans game last season on Thursday Night Football knows just how much Houston’s defense dominated, and that was with Buffalo’s starting offensive line from left to right. It felt like Josh Allen couldn't do anything all night because of the offensive line not holding their ground or the receivers not getting open.
Allen was hit 12 times and was brought down 8 times, and Houston ended up winning 23-19. Not only did the Texans retain a lot of their talent this offseason, but they added a nice complimentary piece in the middle of the trenches in DT Kayden McDonald, who the Bills passed over one pick earlier for OLB T.J. Parker.
Bills fans should be glad to see McGovern back at practice already with still plenty of time before opening kickoff. The Bills' offensive line is going to have to be near perfect to prevent Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. from taking over the game. McGovern is the anchor and he will need to help lead this unit.
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