Pittsford, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - For the first time since tearing his Achilles in a game on Nov. 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills edge rusher Michael Hoecht joined 10 other teammates on defense to play football against an offensive unit on Thursday at training camp.
Prior to training camp at St. John Fisher University, Hoecht was only doing conditioning and rehab with athletic trainers during organized team activities (OTAs), and had done individual position drills at veteran minicamp back in June, as well as Wednesday’s first day of camp.
But Day 2 was a different story.
Hoecht not only participated in 11-on-11 drills against the offense, he even had what would have been a sack.
“It’s a version of power protection, and it's kind of a look that really solves a lot of problems,” Hoecht said of the play after practice with reporters. “If you just have a good get-off, you can kind of feel the play. So yeah, it feels good to start to like actually see football, and it's not just like watching film for the last nine months or whatever it's been, and actually like, do football.”
A healthy Hoecht will give new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard much more flexibility and plenty of options on a down-to-down basis with other edge rushers Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb, and second-round pick T.J. Parker.
Parker showing athleticism
When Parker was drafted as the team's first choice (35th overall) in the 2026 NFL Draft, some of the analysis on his game was that he was much more of a bigger-bodied edge setter who wins with his football IQ and hands, rather than an athletic mover who will chase the play down.
Through two camp practices, I’ve seen a 6-foot-3, 260-pounder who moves very well and has quick feet.
Here’s a look at Hoecht, Parker, and the rest of the edge rushers:
More from Moore
Wide receiver D.J. Moore had an excellent day, hooking up with quarterback Josh Allen, including two touchdown grabs.
The first was in 7-on-7 when he got by the defense. It appeared cornerback Dee Alford may have slipped, but Allen saw him and uncorked the ball about 60 yards downfield for an easy touchdown that Moore caught through the raindrops.
A little while later, Allen found Moore crossing over the middle, fired a laser to him, and watched Moore grab it, put a foot in the ground and take it upfield to the house.
Next up
The team will be off from practice Friday before returning Saturday morning at St. John Fisher University.
Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. will address the media at 8 a.m. before practice begins at 8:30 a.m.
