Orchard Park, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills made final cuts to arrive at their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday and there were a few surprises.
Tre’Davious White is still not ready to play as he continues to rehabilitate from a torn ACL suffered last November. The Bills placed him on the Reserve/PUP list, which means he’ll miss at least the first four games. Buffalo kept 10 defensive backs, including six cornerbacks to help fill in for White until he is ready to play.
So what were the biggest surprises from the Bills’ initial 53-man roster decisions?
Here’s a look at the initial 53-man team. Read on for observations and thoughts on where things stand almost a week from the opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
QUARTERBACK
Josh Allen, Case Keenum (2)
RUNNING BACK
Devin Singletary, James Cook, Zack Moss, Taiwan Jones, Reggie Gilliam (5)
WIDE RECEIVER
Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, Isaiah McKenzie, Jamison Crowder, Khalil Shakir, Jake Kumerow, Marquez Stevenson (7)
TIGHT END
Dawson Knox, Tommy Sweeney, Quintin Morris (3)
OFFENSIVE LINE
Dion Dawkins, Mitch Morse, Rodger Saffold, Ryan Bates, Spencer Brown, David Quessenberry, Greg Van Roten, Tommy Doyle, Bobby Hart (9)
PUP: Ike Boettger
DEFENSIVE LINE
Von Miller, Greg Rousseau, Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, Boogie Basham, A.J. Epenesa, Shaq Lawson, Jordan Phillips, Tim Settle (9)
LINEBACKER
Tremaine Edmunds, Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, Tyrel Dodson, Tyler Matakevich, Baylon Spector (6)
Suspended: Andre Smith
CORNERBACK
Kaiir Elam, Taron Johnson, Dane Jackson, Siran Neal, Christian Benford, Cam Lewis (6)
PUP: Tre’Davious White
SAFETY
Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, Damar Hamlin, Jaquan Johnson (4)
SPECIALIST
Reid Ferguson, Tyler Bass (2)
1. Was Jake Kumerow over Isaiah Hodgins a mistake?
Kumerow always had the advantage over Hodgins because of his experience as a core special teams player in 2021. Hodgins had a strong training camp and played well in the preseason, but he likely wouldn’t get many opportunities, if any, to play on offense with the receivers ahead of him on the depth chart. Kumerow can fill in on offense if needed, but his value remains higher on special teams.
The Bills may lose Hodgins to another team that needs a receiver. But it won’t be the first time teams have come looking to take away Buffalo’s young players. Last year the Bills had offensive linemen Jack Anderson and cornerback Rachad Wildgoose signed by other teams off their practice squad. Anderson was reportedly cut by the Philadelphia Eagles today. The decision to let Hodgins go comes down to lack of opportunity for him in a loaded receiver room.
2. What are Bills going to do about a punter?
The Bills don’t currently have a punter on their roster after releasing rookie Matt Araiza on Saturday because of accusations stemming from an alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old last year while he was at San Diego State. Veteran quarterback Matt Barkley punted against the Carolina Panthers in the preseason finale. The Bills are going to look to fill the void this week and there are plenty of options.
The Tennessee Titans released longtime punter Brett Kern, and he could be an option if the money is right. The Denver Broncos released veteran Sam Martin, and the Cincinnati Bengals released Drue Chrisman. Second-year receiver Marquez Stevenson is rehabbing an ankle injury and made the initial 53-man roster. The Bills could put him on injured reserve now -- he could return this season when healthy - and use his roster spot to add a punter. Expect the team to add Barkley back to its practice squad.
3. What went so wrong with the O.J. Howard signing?
Howard signed a one-year deal worth almost $4 million this offseason with the Bills and never showed enough flashes of the player that was a first-round pick back in 2017. He was slow and his athleticism just never seemed to return after another lower body injury a few years ago. The Bills are going to eat about $3 million in dead money over the next two seasons after moving on from Howard. The play of fourth-year tight end Tommy Sweeney and second-year man Quintin Morris forced the Bills’ hand.
4. Greg Mancz is odd man out on offensive line
Mancz was supposed to be the Bills’ backup center but a foot injury took him off the field for the past week. He’s struggled to stay healthy throughout training camp and veteran Greg Van Roten swooped in and apparently stole his job. Van Roten is the top option for the Bills if Mitch Morse were to go down. Buffalo could also flip Ryan Bates inside to center where he’s played in the past. Bobby Hart made the team one year after getting cut on the final day before signing back to Buffalo’s practice squad.
5. Nick McCloud loses out to Cam Lewis
McCloud seemed confident that he made the team on Tuesday in a strange sequence of events that began with him practicing and talking to the media. It ended with his release when the Bills put out their initial 53-man roster. McCloud and Lewis were likely battling for the last spot and the former University at Buffalo product just simply has more experience. Both players were moved around to play safety this preseason, and McCloud is going to be a priority practice squad target for the Bills.
READ MORE
Quintin Morris beats out O.J. Howard, finally gets name spelled correctly on locker stall
Nothing has changed for Jake Kumerow after 8 NFL seasons; he’s still fighting for a spot
Everything we’re hearing on the Bills’ punter vacancy following Matt Araiza’s release
How Bills arrived at decision to release Matt Araiza amid rape allegations
5 punter options for Bills: Brett Kern leads the way
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