Buffalo Bills Await Rookie CB Maxwell Hairston’s Return
The Buffalo Bills have opened the season strong with a 3-0 record, despite dealing with a wave of injuries to key players such as Ed Oliver, Matt Milano, and others. Thanks to a “next-man-up” mentality, Buffalo has managed to stay perfect through three weeks.
One player who hasn’t drawn as much attention as the veterans but remains on the mend is rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston. The Bills’ 2025 first-round pick suffered an LCL sprain in his knee during training camp and was placed on Injured Reserve (IR) prior to Week 1, forcing him to miss the first four games of the season.
When Can Hairston Return?
By rule, Hairston is eligible to return to practice ahead of Week 5, when Buffalo faces the New England Patriots on Oct. 5. However, the Bills have yet to provide any official update on his rehab progress. Initially, his injury was thought to require just three weeks of recovery, but after closer evaluation, the team opted for a more cautious approach. That timeline has now stretched to 10 weeks since his setback in late July.
A Path to the Starting Lineup
Before his injury, Hairston was in direct competition with Tre’Davious White for a starting spot opposite Christian Benford. While White has held down the role through the first three weeks, he struggled at times against the speed and athleticism of the Miami Dolphins’ wide receivers in Buffalo’s 31-21 Week 3 victory.
That opens the door for Hairston to carve out a role as soon as he’s cleared to return. With his athleticism, speed, and playmaking instincts, the rookie could quickly add depth and potentially claim a starting spot in Buffalo’s secondary as the season grinds on.
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