Overview
- Head coach Joe Brady confirmed that every healthy starter will see game action in the preseason opener, making this the primary live look for first-team players.
- Quarterback Josh Allen said he wants to play and is expected to take a drive or two to get game reps under the new coaching staff.
- Veteran Lloyd Cushenberry III will start at center because Connor McGovern is sidelined with a lower-body injury, and Cushenberry’s performance could decide his place on the 53-man roster.
- Coaches will evaluate several open competitions on the field, including interior defensive line, the backup quarterback job, cornerback depth and multiple rookies who need live snaps to prove themselves.
- The Bills intend to limit starter work after this game, using the Cleveland preseason matchup as practice work and reserving the third exhibition mainly for backups to finalize roster decisions.