HC Hands Down Harsh Punishment After Fifth-Round Rookie Leaves Preseason Game vs Giants Early

Buffalo, NY – August 10, 2025 – The Bills’ preseason clash with the New York Jets may have been just another August tune-up for most of the roster, but for one young offensive lineman, it became the start of an uphill battle to repair trust.

On Saturday night, a second-year center drafted to develop into a key depth piece left the stadium before the final whistle after not seeing the field. The decision surprised coaches and teammates, prompting immediate action from the head coach.

That player was Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Buffalo’s fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Georgia. Official game notes made no mention of his participation, with Jacob Bayer handling most of the center reps — including one botched snap — while Van Pran-Granger remained sidelined.

"You don’t walk out on the Red, White and Blue just because your number wasn’t called. This is a team sport — in Buffalo, commitment comes first. If you can’t stand on the sideline with your brothers, you don’t belong in this locker room," the head coach said postgame.

As a result, Van Pran-Granger will be suspended for the Bills’ remaining two preseason games and will be required to practice separately from the team for the rest of the week, without direct coaching support.

Van Pran-Granger spent most of his rookie season as a reserve, working behind veteran interior linemen. The expectation entering Year 2 was for him to compete for a backup role while continuing to refine his technique and playbook mastery.

Now, the 24-year-old faces an even steeper climb. For offensive linemen on the roster bubble, every preseason snap — or even time spent on the sideline — is a chance to prove value to the coaching staff.

With roster cutdowns looming, Buffalo’s message is loud and clear: wearing the Red, White and Blue means showing up, staying present, and standing with your teammates until the very end.