Bills rookie CB Maxwell Hairston high-fives fans as he runs onto the field during day five of Buffalo Bills training camp. Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Maxwell Hairston injury update: Buffalo Bills top rookie shows off major progress

Originally posted on Buffalo Bills on SI | By Randy Gurzi | Last updated Aug 9, 2025 1:00 PM ET

On Saturday, the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants will face off in Week 1 of the NFL preseason.

One player who won't be on the field for this one, or possibly for any preseason game, is rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston. The Kentucky product suffered a knee injury during training camp, which was initially feared to be rather serious.

Hairston escaped any significant injury, but was still going to be sidelined for several weeks with an LCL sprain. He was walking on crutches, but during pregame warm-ups, Hairston was seen without the crutches and was in great spirits.

Maxwell Hairston (knee) is OFF crutches and in good spirits during the #Bills pregame warmups today:#BillsMafia @BuffaloPlus pic.twitter.com/zgya6zmg5s
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) August 9, 2025

Seeing Hairston make progress is huge for the Bills, who need his speed in the secondary. That said, he lost valuable time, and as head coach Sean McDermott said, he's going to be behind when he gets back on the field.

Buffalo is fortunate to have veteran Tre'Davious White back, after he spent 2024 with the Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens. He's been excelling in camp and can start opposite Christian Benford, which means Hairston doesn't have to rush back.

Still, the earlier he can return, the better, and it's a positive sign seeing him move without the crutches.