Bills Rookie DE Leaves Camp After Being Left Off Second Straight Preseason Roster
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Orchard Park, NY – The Buffalo Bills’ training camp took an unexpected twist this week when rookie cornerback Ladon Jackson, a late-round pick fighting for a roster spot, abruptly left the field midway through practice.
According to team insiders, Jackson learned earlier in the day that — for the second consecutive preseason game — his name would not appear on the active roster. For a Day 3 rookie, missing valuable preseason snaps can be a career-defining setback, especially when every rep is a chance to prove your worth in the NFL.
Witnesses say Jackson quietly collected his gear, exchanged brief words with a fellow defensive back, and exited the field before final drills. The move caught several veterans off guard, as Jackson had shown flashes of raw athleticism and length in early practices before a minor hamstring injury slowed his momentum.
Coming out of college, Jackson had built a reputation for physical press coverage and a willingness to mix it up in run support. Bills coaches initially praised his versatility, even giving him early special-teams reps in camp.
However, as depth-chart battles intensified and with veterans plus higher draft selections ahead of him, Jackson’s opportunities began to shrink. Sitting out the first preseason game was already a blow; hearing he’d be inactive again for Week 2 may have been the final straw.
Head Coach Sean McDermott addressed the situation briefly after practice:
“We expect our guys to battle through every challenge. The NFL is about resilience. You have to be ready when your number’s called — even if it’s later than you hoped.”
The Bills have not announced any disciplinary measures, but sources suggest that Jackson’s walkout could severely hurt his chances of surviving final cuts.
With just one preseason game left before the roster is trimmed to 53, Jackson’s future in Buffalo now hangs in the balance. Whether he returns to camp or looks for an opportunity elsewhere, one thing is clear: in the NFL, the window to make an impression is small — and walking away can close it for good.
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