RELATED: Bills’ head coach leaves door open for first-round rookie CB to play vs. Panthers<\/a><\/p>\n Bills rookie defensive back Maxwell Hairston high-fives fans as he runs onto the field during day five of Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher University Monday, July 28, 2025 in Pittsford, NY. \/ Shawn Dowd\/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n Hairston sustained a knee injury<\/a> during training camp this summer and was subsequently placed on IR, which forced him to miss the Bills\u2019 first four games of the regular season. He was eligible to return before Buffalo\u2019s Week 5 matchup with the New England Patriots, but the team elected to keep him on the shelf through its Week 7 bye week.<\/p>\n However, after opening Hairston\u2019s 21-day practice window on Monday, the Bills officially moved him to their 53-man roster on Saturday afternoon, which points toward him earning a game-day jersey against the Panthers. It remains uncertain if Hairston will suit up to play against Carolina, but it\u2019s unlikely that the Bills would move him to their official roster only to deem him inactive on game day.<\/p>\n MORE: Sean McDermott rules out three Bills’ starters in Week 8, forcing adjustments<\/a><\/p>\n Jun 11, 2025; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston (31) works out during Minicamp at Highmark Stadium. \/ Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images<\/p>\n The Bills have dealt with ongoing struggles in the secondary this season, with starting cornerbacks Tre\u2019Davious White and Christian Benford underperforming through the team\u2019s first six games. White has allowed an opposing passer rating of 117.1 when targeted, while Benford has been even worse, allowing an opposing passer rating of 121.1 when targeted, per NFL Pro.<\/p>\n With a critical matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs coming up in Week 9, it\u2019s likely we see Hairston get his feet wet<\/a> with a limited snap share against the Panthers before being thrown in against KC, a team which features a speedy pass-catching corps, including wide receive Xavier Worthy. With White\u2019s speed and athleticism sapped at this stage of his career, perhaps the Bills feel Hairston gives them a better chance in that matchup with the Chiefs.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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