Bills News: Recapping Return Of The Blue & Red

The Buffalo Bills’ first public event inside their new, state-of-the-art Highmark Stadium occurred Saturday night, when the team did drills and held an inter-squad scrimmage during their annual Return of the Blue & Red practice.

More than 51,000 Bills fans took advantage of their first chance to see the Bills’ new stadium in person, and today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off with news and observations from the Return of the Blue & Red practice, a night that featured plenty of fireworks—including terrific touchdown tosses from Josh Allen to Khalil Shakir and Allen to DJ Moore during the scrimmage portion—both on and off the field.

Were you among the Bills Mafia members in attendance? Check out the assessments and then be sure to leave your thoughts on the new stadium experience in the comments section.

Fans get first look at new Highmark Stadium

On a night filled with plenty of excitement, it was Jim Leonhard’s defense that came up with the biggest splash plays early on. Making his new Highmark Stadium “debut,” Josh Allen was picked off by Buffalo’s defense four times, with Cole Bishop, Christian Benford, Damar Hamlin and Dee Alford coming away with interceptions of the former NFL MVP.

But Allen bounced back nicely and closed off the night with some phenomenal throws, including a picture-perfect dart to DJ Moore that went for 35 yards, a laser beam on a deep throw to Khalil Shakir for a TD, and a nifty TD toss to Dawson Knox late in the practice.

Who else stood out? Cole Bishop, defensive back Jordan Hancock, and nickel corner Dee Alford made several big plays; Tyler Bass was a perfect 8-for-8 on field goal tries; running back James Cook rattled off a few big runs going up against Buffalo’s starting defense; defensive tackle Deone Walker disrupted a few plays along the line of scrimmage; and running back Ty Johnson and center Connor McGovern suffered apparent leg injuries and had to leave practice.

• Bills observations: Allen rebounds with TD to Shakir; McGovern, Johnson exit early – Buffalo News (subscription required)
• Bills Open Highmark Stadium: Cole Bishop Shines, Josh Allen Throws 4 INTs in Scrimmage – newyorkupstate.com
• Bills debut new Highmark Stadium with Return of Blue and Red – WGRZ
• Injury scares, Allen INTs mar debut of new Buffalo Bills stadium – Democrat & Chronicle
• What we’re hearing and seeing at Bills training camp: ‘Return of the Blue and Red’ held in new stadium – ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog
• Bills couldn’t catch a break at debut of new $2.2B Highmark Stadium – Democrat & Chronicle
• Bills show off new stadium, new uniforms – WGR 550
• Return of Blue & Red | Bills players reaction to Highmark Stadium, practice observations – BuffaloBills.com
• Bills’ Ty Johnson Injury Scare: RB Leaves Red & Blue Scrimmage With Trainers – newyorkupstate.com
• Ty Johnson, Connor McGovern leave practice with injuries – WGR 550
• Joe Brady Has No Update on Connor McGovern, Ty Johnson Bills’ Blue & Red Injuries – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
• Bills stock report: Who’s up, who’s down after two weeks of practice? – The Athletic (subscription required)
• Bills coach Joe Brady’s reaction to stadium’s grand opening: ‘That’s special’ – Buffalo News (subscription required)
• Bills coach Joe Brady speaks after scrimmage – Buffalo News (subscription required)
• Chubb and Moore feel the energy and love inside new stadium – WGR 550
• Dawson Knox Discusses Return of the Blue & Red At Highmark Stadium – BuffaloBills.com
• Video: Discover what’s new inside Bills stadium as fans get their first look – newyorkupstate.com
• Fans’ first reaction to Highmark Stadium at the Return of the Blue and Red practice – WGRZ
• Bills show off bold new look during first event in their bold new stadium – WGRZ
• Best Features of Buffalo Bills’ New Stadium Following Scrimmage – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
• ‘We’re tailgating with a purpose’: Bills fans flock to opening day for new stadium – Buffalo News (subscription required)

Even more Bills news

Examining how safety Cole Bishop is poised to enjoy a breakout season in Jim Leonhard’s defensive scheme; plus, rookie safety Jalen Kilgore is using his fall in the NFL Draft as motivation to prove the doubters wrong; defensive linemen Michael Hoecht and DeWayne Carter describe how they’ve worked their way back onto the field following Achilles’ injuries; discussing what the Bills could potentially receive in a Keon Coleman trade; and more!

• Cole Bishop’s strengths influencing Bills’ plan on defense: ‘This will free him up’ – Buffalo News (subscription required)
• Draft slide serves as fuel for Bills rookie defensive back Jalon Kilgore – Buffalo News (subscription required)
• Inside Michael Hoecht’s savage Achilles recovery, comeback for Bills – The Athletic (subscription required)
• Bills’ DeWayne Carter grateful to be back on field as he returns from Achilles tear – WGRZ
• Bills president on new stadium tailgating concerns: ‘Nothing has really changed’ – Democrat & Chronicle
• Orchard Park nearing permit process for parking in private lots for Bills games – Buffalo News (subscription required)
• Five NFL trades that make too much sense: Which teams should make deals over the next month? – ESPN.com
• A $1 raffle ticket won her a piece of Buffalo Bills history, 53 years ago – Buffalo News (subscription required)

Buffalo Bills articles recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings

• O’Cyrus Torrence’s new deal represents a first for Bills under Beane – Buffalo Rumblings
• Examining the homegrown contract extensions of Brandon Beane era – Buffalo Rumblings
• Now that Torrence is done, who is signing the next contract extension with the Bills? – Buffalo Rumblings
• Austin Corbett has the talent to win the starting LG role in 2026 – Buffalo Rumblings
• Plays That Defined 2025: New York Jets, Week 18 – Buffalo Rumblings
• This former Chiefs CB is a long shot to make the roster – Buffalo Rumblings
• Can you guess this Bills player acquired via trade? – Buffalo Rumblings
• Feed Post of the Day: Is this why injuries were down at Bills training camp? – Buffalo Rumblings