The Buffalo Bills are weeks away from Week 1 of the 2026 season, and injuries are already starting to pile up. Tuesday's practice had several notable absences, including wide receivers Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, and Skyler Bell, along with running back Ty Johnson and offensive guard Connor McGovern. On defense, star defensive tackle Ed Oliver, veteran safety C.J.
Gardner-Johnson, and rookie safety Jalon Kilgore all missed practice as well. Meanwhile, pass rusher Michael Hoecht is still working his way back from a torn Achilles suffered late last season, though he's at least practicing. Amid all this, Buffalo made a notable move Tuesday, signing free-agent defensive tackle Greg Gaines, a seven-year NFL veteran who spent the last three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
More news: Chiefs Face Concerning Injury as Top Breakout Candidate Leaves Practice on Cart Gaines was selected in the fourth round (No. 134 overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Washington and spent his first four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, winning a Super Bowl with the team in 2022. Over his career, he has recorded 186 combined tackles, including 16 for loss, 35 quarterback hits, 14.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries across 108 games (34 starts). His best season came in 2021 with the Rams, when he posted 55 total tackles, including four for loss, 13 QB hits, and 4.5 sacks, starting 13 of 17 games alongside future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald.
Last season with the Buccaneers, he tallied 23 combined tackles, three for loss, two QB hits, and two sacks. More news: Buccaneers Get Major Boost as WR Jalen McMillan Returns to Practice More news: Chargers’ Mike McDaniel Says Justin Herbert Has Exceeded Expectations So Far Now 30 years old, Gaines may be past his prime, but he's spent most of the past decade with two of the most successful franchises in the NFL. That experience alone adds value to a Bills defense under serious pressure to help lead the team to its first Super Bowl in 60 years.
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