Suspended Bills Player Reveals Unique Way He Prepared for Return
The Buffalo Bills made a big addition this offseason when they signed defensive lineman Michael Hoecht, but they had to wait six weeks to see him take the field after the NFL handed down a suspension shortly after he signed with Buffalo.
The suspension now over, Hoecht is ready to re-join the team — and said he made sure to keep busy and prepared in his time away.
Michael Hoecht Stayed Sharp
Hoecht — the Canadian player whose last name is pronounced like “Hoyt” — explained that during the time he was unable to access the team facility, he remained in a nearby suburb and trained at a high school.
“First three weeks I was over at Hamburg High School, home of the Bulldogs,” Hoecht said.
Hoecht added that he got the attention of some of the students there, who confused him with another Bills defensive lineman.
“They were very warm and welcoming. I was over at their softball field and a few times in the morning as the school buses pulled up they were like, ‘Joey Bosa, Joey Bosa!’ ”
Hoecht said he maintained the same rhythms as the team, waking at the same times he would have if he were not suspended and going through the same practices to make it easier to jump back into the mix.
“My philosophy was I wanted to sleep in my own bed, eat my own food, stay on routine and be up when the team’s up, keep that normal rhythm and routine,” he said.
Hoecht isn’t the only addition to the team this week. Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, who was also suspended for violating the league’s rules against performance-enhancing drugs, will also join the active roster this week.
Ogunjobi said he also stayed prepared and hopes to make a difference for the Bills.
“I mean, I’ve played a lot of football. This is year nine, so I’m no novice to it, but being able to get back out here and knock the rust off if there’s any, and you know, just fly around and play,” Ogunjobi told reporters, via WKBW. “I think that’s the most important thing, so I was excited I got to get back out here and play.”
Another Young Player Returns
While the veterans Hoecht and Ogunjobi are ready to join the defensive line rotation, the Bills could also get a boost in their secondary from rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston. The first-round pick suffered a knee injury in training camp and had been on injured reserve until this week, when the team opened his three-week practice window.
Hairston told reporters on Wednesday that it felt good to get back to practice for the first time since July. It remains unclear when he could take the field, but Hairston said he’s quickly ramping up his activities.
“It felt good, man, just being able to thud again, wear pads, put a helmet on, and just be able to play again,” Hairston said. “It’s almost like learning how to ride a bike. It’s exciting and I’m just glad I’m back out here.”
Ryan Kelly’s Injury Sets Off ‘Very Concerning’ Domino Effect for Vikings’ Offense
The Minnesota Vikings suffered a humbling loss on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 2, a stark contrast to their late-game heroics in Week 1. What is more, and possibly worse, the Vikings could be without starting center Ryan Kelly next week amid a “very concerning” injury.
Kelly exited the Vikings’ 22-6 home-opening loss to the Atlanta Falcons early with a concussion and did not return.
That was just part of the Vikings’ myriad injury concerns that emerged during the contest.
Vikings C Ryan Kelly’s History Paints Omious Picture
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings signals under center Ryan Kelly #78 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Kelly, a four-time Pro Bowler, signed a two-year, $18 million contract with the Vikings in free agency this past offseason. The 32-year-old pivot arrives after nine seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, where he started all 121 of his regular-season appearances.
He also dealt with similar health issues, leading to scrutiny over his signing in hindsight.
“Ryan Kelly (concussion protocol) is now OUT,” ESPN’s Kevin Seifert posted on X on September 14. “A very concerning development given his history.”
Per Seifert, Kelly had three documented concussions with the Colts.
Kelly has logged full regular-season slates three times in nine seasons, and he has missed multiple games in five of his other campaigns. That includes logging 10 games in 2024 amid knee and neck injuries.
Vikings OL Depleted Early
GettyLeft tackle Christian Darrisaw of the Minnesota Vikings.
Kelly was part of an intentional retooling of the Vikings’ O-line this offseason. He and fellow former Colt Will Fries were brought in to help shore up a leaky OL alongside fellow newcomer and guard Donovan Jackson and incumbent tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill.
However, Darrisaw remains out as he returns from a knee injury suffered last season.
In addition to losing Kelly during the contest, the Vikings also lost backup left tackle Justin Skule and were forced to turn to 2024 sixth-round pick Walter Rouse.
The Vikings had the right idea about their offensive line, and they took it a step further by bolstering their backfield with a trade for former San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason.
However, those additions are only impactful when they are on the field.
Not having Darrisaw is a critical deficiency, since he is supposed to be protecting the inexperienced J.J. McCarthy’s blindside.
The Vikings also lost running back Aaron Jones to a hamstring injury, and the severity is unclear, leaving Minnesota depleted around McCarthy. Wide receiver Jordan Addison still has one more week in his three-game suspension stemming from his July 2024 arrest.
J.J. McCarthy Feels Impact of Vikings’ OL Injuries
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings fumbles while being sacked by Zach Harrison #96 of the Atlanta Falcons.
Kelly and the Vikings were able to rattle off 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears in Week 1. They had no such luck, particularly without Kelly, in Week 2, and the Falcons’ defense was a big reason why.
McCarthy absorbed 6 sacks on the night.
For further context, former Vikings starter Sam Darnold’s season high was 5 sacks absorbed during the 2024 season.
Darnold is a veteran who logged 56 starts in 66 games played across a six-year career before joining the Vikings. The Vikings do not expect McCarthy to carry the load as his predecessor did last season.
The second-year QB noted that this was but one game early in the season.
McCarthy and the Vikings’ situation could be far more complicated if Kelly is forced to miss time going forward. 2024 seventh-rounder Michael Jurgens replaced Kelly on Monday night.
