Kroft missed most of the offseason practices due to a fractured foot in the spring. Just as he was healthy and poised to return, he suffered a badly sprained ankle in Week 3 and it delayed his debut for the Bills until Week 7 against the Dolphins.

Last Sunday against the Eagles was just his second game of regular season action with his new teammates in Brian Daboll's scheme. But head coach Sean McDermott has witnessed progress from one week to the next.

"I think we're getting there," he said. "I thought Tyler built on game two from what he put out there in game one. It's really us as coaches knowing our players and the longer you're around them the easier it is to get to know what the player does well and where they're challenged. Whether it's Tyler or anyone else, those relationships and that in-depth knowledge of one another is important to make sure we're putting those players in positions of strength."

Kroft is trying to facilitate and accelerate that process with a dedicated approach to practice, all while being in constant communication with Allen on what he's seeing out there live and then reviewing it on practice and game tape with his QB.

"The games haven't been too fast for me and I've stacked some good days," Kroft told Buffalobills.com. "There is a lot to clean up and get better on, but I think there have been steps that I've taken where I know I'm headed in the right direction. I'm going to keep coming in every day ready to work."

Kroft may have made more of an impact last Sunday had Allen seen him wide open on a corner route against the Eagles in Philadelphia territory. The play could've gone for a touchdown if Allen had seen him running free, but his progressions appeared to take Allen to the other side of the field first.

That's the gap Allen and Kroft are trying to bridge as they spend more time on the field together.