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The Buffalo Bills have been without their usual kicking presence during the initial five training camp sessions at St. John Fisher University, but that is about to change. Tyler Bass, the team's 29-year-old kicker, has not attempted a field goal in public for nearly a year, yet he is reportedly on track to return to action later this week.
Bass, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, underwent surgery for a sports hernia about eight months ago, a procedure that followed persistent core muscle issues dating back to last summer. He was placed on Injured Reserve before the 2025 regular season opener, leaving his status uncertain until now.
Key Analysis
Despite the lack of visible kicking during practice, special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers has indicated that Bass has been working out off to the side. Rodgers explained that the team has not yet had the opportunity to have Bass on the field for full drills, but that will change soon. The plan is for Bass to kick during Thursday's practice, which will mark the first time the team works on field goal protection in pads, and again at the 'Return of The Blue & Red' event on August 8 at Highmark Stadium.
Rodgers emphasized the importance of a gradual progression, noting that Bass is adjusting to two new holders. The competition for the holder role is between veteran punter Mitch Wishnowsky, who joined the team in Week 5 last year and has not held for Bass since then, and rookie punter Tommy Doman, a seventh-round pick. Rodgers stated, 'I don't think you skip steps. It starts from ground zero. He's working with two new holders right now, that's a part of that comfort. It's gonna be a rep thing.'
Bass himself expressed optimism about his recovery, saying, 'Body's feeling good. We're excited to get back. The process has been really just kind of recovering, strengthening what we kinda had worked on and just taking it one day at a time.' This positive outlook suggests that he is confident in his readiness for the upcoming season.
Originally reported by headtopics.