As the Buffalo Bills enter Week 4 on the season players like first-round draft pick Maxwell Hairston, who started the season on injured reserve, will soon be eligible to being practicing. With some issues at cornerback, it's a moment Bills Mafia has been waiting for. They may need to hold their horses, if Sean McDermott has anything to say about it. At McDermott's latest media appearance, Syracuse.com's Matt Parrino quoted him on Hairston's potential return.
""He's working and moving in the right direction. I don't know how many weeks it will be. You got to remember, now, Max has been out since whatever day or week in training camp. So all the physical part, yes, but also all the mental part of the playbook and those things. So right now it's, I think, lowering expectations and managing them and just taking it one day at a time and seeing when and if he can come back." "Sean McDermott, via Matt Parrino
When will Maxwell Hairston make his Bills debut in 2025?
The news, as presented, is far from encouraging. Not to worry, Bills fans, it could be worse. Actually, it might be worse. Joe Buscaglia, the Bills beat reporter for The Athletic, specified that the language used with Hairston was "when and if", casting doubt on the rookie making his debut at all this season. McDermott reportedly went on to state that he didn't wish to cast doubt, but they won't rule out his season being over. It's an ominous and discouraging sentiment.
Maxwell Hairston took to the field on Wednesday for the first time since his injury, and worked out to the side with staff on some running drills. This was an encouraging piece of news for the 30th overall pick. The Buffalo Bills have struggled in their secondary; Having Hairston back could give them a boost. In the meantime, veteran and fan-favourite Tre'Davious White has been starting across from recently-extended CB1 Christian Benford.
Though Buffalo could use the help, they've risen to 3-0 on the season without Hairston. If they're comfortable with the roster they've built, and Hairston doesn't immediately offer an upside, keeping him on the injured reserve might be the right move. Only time will tell.