Maxwell Hairston Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Bengals vs Bills game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Nov 28, 2025
Cleared to play Week 13
Hairston (concussion) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Steelers.
ANALYSIS
Hairston was concussed in last Thursday night's loss to the Texans, but the added rest allowed him to clear the concussion protocol. The first-round rookie cornerback has appeared in five games this season, producing three tackles (two solo) and three pass breakups, including a pair of interceptions, across 175 defensive snaps.
Nov 27, 2025
Full participant Thursday
Hairston (concussion) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
Hairston sustained a concussion in the Bills' loss to the Texans last Thursday, and was a limited participant in practice Wednesday. The upgrade to full participation means the first-round rookie has cleared the league's concussion protocol and should be good to go for Sunday's game.
Nov 26, 2025
Limited Wednesday
Hairston (concussion) will be a limited practice participant Wednesday, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The 2025 first-round pick from Kentucky sustained a concussion in the Bills' Week 12 loss to the Texans, so it's no surprise that he's limited at Wednesday's practice. Hairston must clear the NFL's five-step protocol in order to play in Sunday's matchup against the Steelers. If he's unable to do so, expect Ja'Marcus Ingram to have an expanded role as Buffalo's top reserve outside corner.
Nov 21, 2025
Placed in concussion protocol
Hairston was placed in the concussion protocol Friday, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Hairston apparently sustained the concussion in Thursday night's loss to the Texans. He'll have 10 days to try and get ready for Buffalo's Week 13 contest with the Steelers. Since making his season debut in Week 8, Hairston has produced three tackles (two solo) and three pass breakups, including two interceptions, on 58 percent of the defensive snaps across five contests.
Oct 26, 2025
Cleared to make NFL debut
Hairston (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Panthers.
ANALYSIS
The rookie first-rounder started the season on injured reserve after sustaining a knee injury during training camp in late July. Hairston was limited in practice all week, but he was activated off IR on Saturday and has been cleared to play in Week 8 after going through pregame warmups. Given that Sunday will be his NFL debut, Hairston could be limited to a special-teams role while providing depth in the secondary behind cornerbacks Tre'Davious White, Christian Benford and Taron Johnson.
Oct 25, 2025
Activated off IR
The Bills activated Hairston (knee), who remains questionable for Sunday's game against Carolina, off injured reserve Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Prior to Saturday, Hairston had been on IR all season after suffering an LCL sprain in his right knee in late July. The rookie cornerback was designated to return this past Monday and logged a trio of limited practices, though it's uncertain if he'll be active Sunday. Whenever Hairston gets into a game, it will be his NFL debut.
Oct 24, 2025
Questionable for Sunday at Carolina
Hairston (knee) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Carolina, Chris Brown of the Bills Radio Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Hairston was a limited participant at practice for the Bills' entire week of preparation, but he officially remains on the injured reserve list as of Friday. Buffalo is otherwise relatively healthy at cornerback, so it's not fully clear what kind of role is waiting for Hairston when he is finally healthy enough to make his NFL debut.
Oct 20, 2025
Designated for return from IR
The Bills designated Hairston (knee) for return from injured reserve Monday, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The move opens Hairston's 21-day practice window after he was injured in the early days of training camp back in July. Hairston was Buffalo's first-round pick in the 2025 Draft, and his eventual return will be a big boost to the Bills' secondary.
Aug 26, 2025
Will miss at least four games
Hairston (knee) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
The rookie first-round pick will be eligible to return Week 5 versus the Patriots as he recovers from an LCL sprain in his right knee that he picked up in late July. Hairston was a potential starter, but with limited training camp reps, he may need additional time to ramp up even once he's medically cleared. Tre'Davious White (lower leg) is expected to start opposite Christian Benford if he's healthy, while Dane Jackson should serve as the primary backup to both players.
Aug 19, 2025
Not nearing return
Coach Sean McDermott said Tuesday that Hairston (knee) is still "a ways away" from beginning a raping up process in his recovery, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Hairston was injured early in camp but avoided a major knee injury. However, he's been sidelined for the past three weeks and looks like he'll be out quite a bit longer. Hairston may not be ready in time for the Bills' Week 1 opener against the Ravens on Sept. 7.
Aug 12, 2025
Off crutches
Coach Sean McDermott said Tuesday that Hairston (knee) is off crutches, and the team has had no discussions about him starting the regular season on injured reserve, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Hairston went down with a non-contact knee injury in practice July 29, but he avoided a major injury and was diagnosed with a sprained LCL in his right knee. It sounds like the Bills expect their first-round rookie to be available to play in September, as a trip to injured reserve would cost Hairston at least the first four regular-season contests.
Jul 30, 2025
Avoids major injury
Hairston is expected be sidelined for at least the next three weeks after being diagnosed with an LCL sprain in his right knee, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Hairston suffered a non-contact injury to his right knee during Tuesday's practice, but the good news for the Bills is that the rookie first-rounder's ACL is intact. He could be back in as few as three weeks, though the Bills will likely play it conservatively and keep him from playing in the team's three preseason games. Hairston is projected to start at outside corner, but in his absence, Dane Jackson, Taron Johnson and Tre'Davious White will all have opportunities to get more reps with the first-team defense opposite Christian Benford.
Jul 29, 2025
Suffers non-contact knee injury
Hairston (knee) left Tuesday's practice early due to an apparent non-contact injury, WKBW reports.
ANALYSIS
Hairston took a seat on the turf roughly 50 minutes into Tuesday's practice, and after having his right knee examined by a trainer was helped to his feet and off the field, per Ralph Ventre of SI.com. The Bills haven't yet released an update on the rookie first-round pick's health, and it's possible more information won't arrive until after Hairston has undergone further testing. The rookie dealt with a hamstring injury during mandatory minicamp, but he had been cleared to practice when training camp opened up.
Jul 28, 2025
Past hamstring injury
Hairston (hamstring) has participated in training camp practices, per WGR 550.
ANALYSIS
Hairston sustained a hamstring injury during mandatory minicamp in mid-June, but he has been given the green light to participate in team drills in practice. The rookie first-rounder is projected to start at outside corner opposite Christian Benford, with veteran Tre'Davious White serving in a depth role.
Jun 13, 2025
Inks first pro deal
Hairston (hamstring) signed his rookie contract Friday.
ANALYSIS
The Bills have big plans for the speedy rookie, as he's lined up for a starting cornerback role right out of the gate after being selected 30th overall in April, assuming his pulled hamstring suffered this week during minicamp is nothing major. Hairston's Kentucky teammate Deone Walker also signed his rookie deal Friday.
Jun 12, 2025
Should be ok for camp
Hairston pulled his hamstring Wednesday during mandatory minicamp but should be ready for training camp in the summer, Chris Brown of the Bills Radio Network reports.
ANALYSIS
The cornerback was selected with the 30th overall pick in April's draft, and he's expected to play a starting role right away across from Christian Benford. Hairston's 4.28 40 speed should allow him to play downfield man coverage against fast receivers, the type of corner the Bills have lacked in recent years.
Apr 24, 2025
Bills add speedy corner in first
The Bills selected Hairston in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 30th overall.
ANALYSIS
Hairston (5-foot-11, 183 pounds) is quite a bit lighter than the corners targeted by the Bills in recent years, and as a tackler in particular the former Kentucky standout might need to improve before gaining the approval of coach Sean McDermott. It's possible that Hairston's abilities are just what the Bills have lacked at crucial points in recent history, however -- more specifically, Hairston projects as a standout downfield man coverage corner, and with 4.28 speed he can match stride with almost any receiver. If speed specialists gave the Bills trouble, then Hairston gives the team a direct counter that it previously lacked.
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