Bills preseason thoughts: DJ Moore’s injury scare, Jim Leonhard’s defense debuts

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — As the Buffalo Bills drew back the curtain to show what they’ve been working on over the last few months in Saturday’s 29-14 preseason win against the Carolina Panthers, the new defensive scheme under coordinator Jim Leonhard caught much of the attention.

The Bills — sporting their new-look, attack-style 3-4 defense — attempted to stay as vanilla as possible while executing their core defensive philosophies. Regardless, seeing it in practice helped show what the Bills may do at the macro and micro levels once the regular season begins.

What stood out most was how they varied their spacing along the defensive line. The scheme freed up first-team interior defensive linemen like Deone Walker and Ed Oliver for multiple one-on-ones, giving them several quality reps in the three drives they played. Coupled with well-timed pressure from unpredictable places, it led to some bright moments from the defense.

In total, the first-team defense allowed only 16 yards on three drives at 1.77 yards per play and dropped Carolina for negative gains three times and no gain twice.

On a more granular level, how they used some of their players was equally interesting, specifically across their defensive front. While we’ve seen plenty of mixing and matching during camp with the first unit, it was abundantly clear Oliver and Walker will be massive parts of their plan. The Bills were in nickel for 70 percent of their plays through the three series, meaning only two defensive linemen were on the field. In both nickel and base defense, Walker and Oliver were on the field for every first-unit snap.

In addition, Greg Rousseau and Bradley Chubb were the only edge-rushing outside linebackers on the field for the Bills’ first-team defense. Rousseau rushed against the right tackle all but once, which may be a sign that they’re committing to having him on his most natural pass-rushing side this season.

The first-team defense’s three straight three-and-outs could have contributed to no one else getting time on the defensive line or at outside linebacker. However, even on longer drives with the second and third units, the Bills generally veered toward keeping a pass-rushing pair in the game for six-plus snaps at a time. That could mean we see a rotation that isn’t quite as flat as it was with the previous defense.

No matter what, this brand-new defense couldn’t have asked for a better debut, though several questions still need to be answered.

Moore looks part as Bills think they survived injury scare

For the first time since the Bills acquired wide receiver DJ Moore to be Josh Allen’s top target, fans at large were able to see their potential.

What the duo manufactured Saturday against the Panthers is a continuation of everything we’ve seen in training camp so far. Moore ran six routes on non-penalty plays that he was in the game for, and Allen targeted him on 67 percent of those routes, resulting in three catches for 61 yards. That figure is certainly unsustainable, but it’s clear Allen often looks for Moore. Allen hasn’t had that type of receiver since Stefon Diggs left Buffalo, and Moore’s speed and run-after-catch ability are likely to be big assets. He also unsurprisingly led Bills receivers in snaps with Allen, registering 12 out of 16 (including penalties).

The Bills appeared to avoid a potential disaster with Moore after he suffered an apparent leg injury on his final snap and reception.

The team sat him over by the bench area as athletic trainers and a team doctor examined his lower leg, then left him alone shortly after. He moved around well on the sidelines during the second half, and Bills head coach Joe Brady told reporters that they think Moore is likely good to go.

The Bills now must determine how much more work they want Moore to get this preseason, as they weigh the potential for injury against additional in-game reps with Allen.

McGovern looking at multi-week absence

Starting center Connor McGovern hasn’t been near the practice field since he left the Bills’ Return of the Blue & Red practice inside Highmark Stadium last week.

Now, we know McGovern is facing a multi-week injury. The Bills center told The Athletic and one other reporter that he’s feeling good, but that he “should be a few more weeks.”

McGovern said the goal is to be ready for the start of the regular season. In the meantime, veteran Lloyd Cushenberry III took every first-team snap against Carolina.

Sanders mysteriously inactive in first half

Throughout camp, 2025 second-round pick T.J. Sanders has consistently worked in with the first-team defense and, during open practices, has often been the running mate to fellow defensive linemen Walker and Oliver in the Bills’ base defense.

However, on Saturday, Sanders was stunningly left off the first-team defense and didn’t play a single defensive snap in the first half.

When the Bills’ first unit was in base defense for three snaps, 2025 third-round pick Landon Jackson got the work with Walker and Oliver while Sanders watched from the sidelines without his helmet on. Jackson has come on strong the last couple of weeks since the pads went on, showing his length and added offseason strength, and it’s led to more on-field practice opportunities.

Suddenly, this is looking like a competition for the starting job between the Bills’ pair of 2025 Day Two picks.

Hancock quickly becoming staff favorite

It took a little while for second-year defensive back Jordan Hancock to find his footing in this new defense, but he has been on a roll over the last two weeks of practice, and it extended into Saturday’s game.

Hancock, who flashed high-level plays last year as a safety, has primarily played as a nickel corner in Leonhard’s new scheme. Those splash plays are becoming more frequent, whether in coverage, run support, or as a blitzer. The Bills gave Hancock the added responsibility Saturday of playing one full defensive series at safety, on top of the two series he spent at nickel.

The way Hancock has ascended, you have to wonder if he’s in the mix as not only a backup nickel, but potentially as a dime (six defensive backs) defender. It’s been a very strong August for Hancock.

Elarms-Orr’s interesting usage

The Bills are very high on fourth-round rookie Kaleb Elarms-Orr, to the point that the inside linebacker is pushing for a role early in the regular season.

The team’s actions Saturday matched that sense, as Elarms-Orr subbed in for Dorian Williams on the first-team defense on the Bills’ second defensive series. Elarms-Orr has been sprinkled into first-team time throughout open practices. He also played the entire third quarter with the second- and third-string defenders and even played longer than second-string inside linebacker Keonta Jenkins.

Sometimes, playing deep into preseason games is a bad omen, but in this case, with Elarms-Orr’s snaps spread all over, they likely wanted to give him experience above all else.

Bell nearing a return?

Head coach Joe Brady gave a favorable update on fourth-round rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell, who has missed the last week of practice due to an undisclosed injury. Brady said Bell has been dealing with a lower-body injury, and that if this were the regular season, the receiver probably could have played against the Panthers.

The Bills hope Bell returns at some point this week, either in Orchard Park, in Cleveland for Thursday’s joint practice, or Saturday’s preseason game against the Browns.