Buffalo Bills S Sam Franklin Jr. starts for injured C.J. Gardner-Johnson during Monday’s practice

Of course, Gardner-Johnson’s injury turned out to be a lower leg strain, mercifully ending some fans’ doom-and-gloom “worst-case-its-his-Achilles” sessions. Yet that doesn’t necessarily mean Gardner-Johnson will be running at his typical full speed in the next week or perhaps a bit longer if the team is extra cautious.

Then came Monday, August 3. Instead of Kilgore claiming those starting reps, veteran safety and special teams ace Sam Franklin Jr. was in to replace Gardner-Johnson. It’s an interesting development, to say the least, where a bigger-bodied safety known for special teams leaps over highly touted younger players and other steely vets — those many viewed as locks to see the field first. Recall, One Bills Drive did make Franklin a free-agent priority this past offseason, agreeing to terms with him on a three-year contract.

It’s important to remember two things: 1 — it’s training camp (and it’s still early), and 2 — the defense is now led by an entirely new set of coaches. Where before certain players may have held favor in Sean McDermott’s court, now the board has reset itself. That means truly renewed opportunities for everyone at all defensive positions. Sure, the new coaches are going to have their guys, but there’s less written in pen these days on defense than in anytime over the prior nine seasons.

For all we know, defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard could have someone different from the safeties room starting in place of Gardner-Johnson each day of practice. If Leonhard knows one thing it’s safety play, so his instincts should be given a fair bit of initial trust. If that holds true, allowing each of the safeties to get extra reps will likely benefit the depth of that room overall.