Bills Finally Receive Positive News on Injured Rookies Skyler Bell, Jalon Kilgore

Two days removed from their preseason matchup with the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, the Buffalo Bills returned to practice Monday with a couple added players back on the field.

Buffalo Bills' rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell (13) turns after catching a pass in practice at Bills' training camp at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, New York, on Aug. 4, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Fresh off an impressive 31-7 road victory over the Cleveland Browns during the team’s second preseason game, the Buffalo Bills returned to practice in Orchard Park on Monday morning as preparations for the regular season continue.

And, with Thursday night’s final preseason outing against the Pittsburgh Steelers just around the corner at the new Highmark Stadium prior to Sunday’s roster cut-down day, the Bills still have plenty of critical decisions left to make.

Lengthy injury report has allowed Bills’ depth to shine this summer

July 29, 2026; Pittsford, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills' head coach Joe Brady (right) speaks with general manager Brandon Beane (left) during training camp at St. John Fisher University. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

So far this summer Buffalo has been somewhat slammed by a lengthy injury report, particularly as of late, which has made the evaluation process a little harder for first-year head coach Joe Brady and general manager Brandon Beane.

Even still, the team has been impressive in its two exhibition matchups this month as the Bills have outscored their opponents 60-21.

We wrote about the 10 players who did not practice on Monday, including four new additions to the injury list.

Aug. 22, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Buffalo Bills' defensive back Te'Cory Couch (33) celebrates with cornerback Kani Walker (41) after making an interception | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Buffalo received positive injury news on Monday, too

But, be that as it may, on Monday there was actually also a bit of good news for Buffalo as rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell and rookie defensive back Jalon Kilgore returned to the practice field after a somewhat lengthy stay on the sidelines this month, especially for Bell, who hadn’t practiced since before the team’s “Return of the Blue and Red” scrimmage on Saturday, August 8. Fellow receiver Dante Pettis also returned to action after missing the preseason game against Cleveland.

Despite some important players still being out, it’s at least a good sign for Bell and Kilgore, two players who were once thought to possibly have fairly large roles during their rookie seasons in Western New York.

Not practicing today for the Bills:

Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
Connor McGovern
Jude Bowry
Ty Johnson
Keon Coleman
Khalil Shakir
Ed Oliver
Javon Solomon
Terrel Bernard
CJ Gardner-Johnson

Returning: Jalon Kilgore, Dante Pettis, Skyler Bell

— Jay Skurski (@JaySkurski) August 24, 2026

Kilgore will still presumably be stuck behind fellow safeties Cole Bishop and C.J. Gardner-Johnson for most of the season, but Bell has a chance to reclaim a top role this year that many thought was going to be his in Buffalo after he was drafted by the team earlier this spring.

Fellow wideouts Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir remained out with injuries on Monday, which means the 2026 fourth-rounder out of University of Connecticut can make up some ground during the team’s final preseason game against Pittsburgh in just a few days.

Bell has giant opportunity awaiting him with Bills’ current WR depth situation

Buffalo Bills' rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell (13) pulls in a pass in the end zone during Day Four of Buffalo's training camp at St. John Fisher University on Monday, August 3, 2026 in Pittsford, New York. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The 5-foot-11, 192-pounder finished second in the entire FBS for receiving yardage during his senior collegiate season in 2025 for the Huskies by racking up 1,278 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns on 101 receptions.

He has the talent: there’s a reason why the Bills selected him early on Day 3 of this April’s draft.

But, Bell was hampered by a hamstring injury during the spring, and the injury bug subsequently followed him into the summer as he’s been dealing with a separate groin issue lately.

However, the fact that he was able to finally return to action after more than two weeks away due to the ailment is definitely a sight for sore eyes amongst the coaches and the fanbase.

Buffalo Bills' rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell (13) turns up the field after making a catch across the middle during the opening day of Buffalo's training camp at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, New York, on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Now, it’s just a matter of Bell getting quickly back up to speed in order to contribute when the regular season rolls around.

The game against Houston will be here quicker than anyone realizes, so fans will have to keep a close eye on how things progress with the rookie moving forward.

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