ORCHARD PARK — In a locker room full of players champing at the bit to play a game, no one is more ready than Cole Bishop.
Since minicamps began, Bishop has been the focal point of talk surrounding the Buffalo Bills defense. The Bills made it clear from the jump that the second-year safety was going to be a starter this year rather than incumbent Damar Hamlin.
So Bishop had to answer questions about elevating his game after four starts as a rookie second-round pick. And then Bishop injured his quad forcing him out of six practices and the first preseason game against the New York Giants, the only time Buffalo’s starters saw extended playing time.
Bishop returned for limited appearances in the final two preseason games. But he feels healthy and is ready to start playing so all of the questions about whether or not he’s up for the challenge can go away.
“Mentally, I felt good the whole time,” Bishop told GNN Sports. “I was confident in what I was doing. I couldn’t help being hurt. Obviously don’t want to be hurt, but I can do anything when I’m not out there. And I felt when I was out there, I was doing everything I could. So just trying to do my job to the best of my ability.”
While Bishop was out, the coaching staff continued to say he was missing valuable reps during practices. And it came on the heels of missing almost all of his rookie training camp with a shoulder injury, time away that prevented him from truly competing for a starting job.
But since he’s returned, coach Sean McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich have offered effusive praise for his progression. The Bills have a high standard for their safeties and the compliments typically don’t come without merit.
“The guy missed all of the preseason games last year and then he gets thrown into the fire — and there’s no excuses,” Babich said. “And then you saw him get his feet wet after missing some time this year and it was a continued trend upwards.”
Bishop didn’t play long in either of his preseason outings, playing 13 snaps against the Chicago Bears and 12 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And while not much is gleaned from preseason games, Bishop got some use out of it by focusing on his footwork and processing information at game speed.
With support from the coaching staff, Bishop is confident heading into Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. It’s clear the Bills won’t have a quick hook for Bishop if he doesn’t play well early.
“I trust our coaches a lot,” Bishop said. “I trust they’re going to try to put us in the best positions possible. So it’s been good.”
Practice notes
Before Friday’s practice, McDermott announced cornerback Tre’Davious White (groin) and Tyler Bass (left hip/groin) wouldn’t participate, but wouldn’t rule them out for Sunday. White was officially listed as doubtful, while Bass was placed on injured reserve just after practice.
Should White not play Sunday, rookie sixth-round pick Dorian Strong and Ja’Marcus Ingram are in line to replace him, with Strong getting the slight edge.
Veteran Matt Prater was signed to the practice squad Thursday, but the Bills haven’t announced he’s been signed to the active roster. McDermott said he wanted to take a closer look at the 41-year-old two-time Pro Bowler during Friday’s practice.
The Ravens also ruled out two key players on offense. Tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) will not play, nor will 300-pound five-time Pro Bowl fullback Patrick Ricard (calf).
Likely set career-highs in receptions (42), yards (477) and touchdowns (6) last season. Ricard, meanwhile, played 435 offensive snaps last season, second most by a fullback to San Francisco’s Kyle Juszczyk (537).
NOTES: QB Josh Allen signed an endorsement deal with New Balance. Allen had been wearing New Balance cleats during the preseason after wearing Nike for most of his career. The deal comes with commitments from Allen and New Balance to help fund the community sports program in his hometown of Firebaugh, California.