At the start of 2023 training camp, the battle for the linebacker position that Tremaine Edmunds once held is wide open.
Except for Dorian Williams.
As the Bills opened training camp at St. John Fisher University on Wednesday, Williams was not at the middle linebacker position once held by Edmunds. Rather, he at the weakside spot behind Matt Milano.
After that first practice, general manager Brandon Beane confirmed that’s the plan.
“Dorian will probably–We messed around with him at mic (middle linebacker)–It’s a lot,” Beane told the team’s radio show. “Dorian is going to start out more over there with Milano, kind of on the outside position.”
As referenced by the GM, Williams was previously in the middle. After Buffalo selected the Tulane product in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft, Beane said Williams would be lined up behind Milano which raised some eyebrows.
Then at spring practices, Williams ended up taking reps in the middle.
Evidently, that’s over… at least for now. Beane said there’s a chance the third-round rookie gets another shot at some point.
“It doesn’t mean we wouldn’t move him back at some point. You just don’t want those guys thinking too much, then he’s going to lose the speed and athletic ability that he’s got,” Beane said.
Without Williams in the heart of Buffalo’s defense, Tyrel Dodson was taking the first-team reps. Previously, Dodson was Edmunds’ main backup last season. Terrel Bernard, a 2022 third-round pick by the Bills, and veteran AJ Klein are the likeliest players to factor in as well.
But there’s no rush on the side of the coaching staff to sort it out. There’s plenty of summer left.
“We’ll know when we know,” head coach Sean McDermott said via video conference.
Bills Wire will continue to provide updates throughout 2023 training camp.
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