The Buffalo Bills are one step closer to seeing rookie cornerback Max Hairston in action during the 2025 NFL season. Hairston has been on Injured Reserve (IR) since suffering an LCL sprain on July 29, during training camp this past summer.
Bills Mafia were hopeful to see Hairston lock down opposing teams’ wide receivers in tandem with cornerback Christian Benford. Those expectations were soon dashed after the knee injury sent him to the sidelines for an IR-mandatory four-game stay. One Bills Drive
decided to proceed cautiously with Hairston, prioritizing the need to give him more time to recover and prepare for his first NFL season. Hairston found that extra time by spending two additional games on IR.
With Hairston well into recovery from injury, the Bills decided to open his 21-day return-to-practice window on October, 20. This potentially puts him on-target to return to action on November 9 — or sooner if they feel he doesn’t need all 21 days to ramp up.
Prior to drafting Hairston, general manager Brandon Beane brought back cornerback Tre’Davious White in free agency, which was viewed as a solid contingency plan. White has struggled to stick with the younger speed at wide receiver, but he’s been one of the better tacklers on defense through six games.
