Bills cutdown day: Lancaster's Joe Andreessen makes roster; Shavers, Gore Jr. among cuts
Andreessen making the team was the good news. Bad news came to another preseason standout. Wide receiver Tyrell Shavers was waived, although the team hopes to re-sign Shavers to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Bills linebacker Joe Andreessen lines up against Carolina on Aug. 24 at Highmark Stadium. Joshua Bessex, Buffalo News
Joe Andreessen has taken another step on his remarkable journey.
The Lancaster High School graduate has made the Buffalo Bills’ initial 53-man roster.
The team had until 4 p.m. Tuesday to trim its roster — one of the toughest days on the NFL calendar, as more than 1,000 players around the league were let go.
Bills wide receiver Tyrell Shavers is being waived, a league source told The Buffalo News, but could be brought back on the team’s practice squad. Joshua Bessex, Buffalo News
Andreessen making the team was the good news. Bad news came to another preseason standout. Wide receiver Tyrell Shavers was waived, although the team hopes to re-sign Shavers to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
As a refresher, players with fewer than four years of NFL experience are subject to the NFL’s waiver system. At noon Wednesday, the NFL will process claims on any player who was placed on waivers. The priority order for waiver claims is based on the original 2024 NFL draft order, meaning Carolina has the No. 1 claim and Kansas City has No. 32. A player claimed by multiple teams will go to the one with the higher claim.
Players with four or more years of experience who are released immediately become free agents and can sign with any other team.
The Bills also released wide receivers Andy Isabella and Xavier Johnson, as well as rookie defensive tackle Branson Deen and defensive end Kingsley Jonathan and Kameron Cline, making room for rookie Javon Solomon, a fifth-round draft pick who had a solid preseason.
Rookie offensive lineman Mike Edwards was also waived. If Edwards clears waivers, he’s expected to join the Bills’ practice squad. The team also waived rookie guard Gunner Britton.
Defensive tackle Eli Ankou was released, but could potentially return to the Bills’ practice squad. Ankou has bounced back and forth between the Bills’ practice squad and active roster in recent seasons.
Defensive backs Keni-H Lovely and Kendall Williamson were also waived.
The Bills’ other moves included:
- Waiving quarterback Ben DiNucci. That would leave them with just Josh Allen and Mitchell Trubisky on the 53-man roster, and it is not yet clear whether Trubisky will be healthy enough to serve as Allen’s backup when the regular season begins Sept. 8 against Arizona. Trubisky suffered a knee injury against the Steelers in the second preseason game.
- Releasing veteran safety Kareem Jackson. The 36-year-old had signed at the start of training camp to provide depth at a position that was hit hard by injuries. But safety Mike Edwards (hamstring) and rookie Cole Bishop (shoulder) have returned to practice on a limited basis in recent days, increasing their likelihood of being ready for Week 1.
- Waiving wide receiver Justin Shorter. A 2023 fifth-round draft pick, Shorter spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve. The team also released wide receiver K.J. Hamler. While there may still be some maneuvering by general manager Brandon Beane, as it stands, the Bills’ initial 53-man roster will include Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins and Marquez Valdes-Scantling at wide receiver. Both Samuel (turf toe) and Valdes-Scantling (neck) are dealing with injuries, but coach Sean McDermott stated recently that he’s optimistic one or both of them will be ready for the regular-season opener.
- Waiving defensive tackle Gable Steveson, the Olympic wrestler who won a gold medal and was making the transition to football, having never played the sport before signing with Buffalo in the spring.
- Waiving rookie running back Frank Gore Jr., an undrafted free agent who was attempting to follow in his father’s footsteps by playing for the Bills. Gore Jr. made a late roster push with a 100-yard game against the Panthers in the preseason finale, but the top of the Bills’ depth chart — James Cook, Ray Davis and Ty Johnson — was always going to be tough to crack.
- The other players either waived or released by the Bills on Tuesday included offensive lineman Keaton Bills, wide receiver Deon Cain, offensive lineman Will Clapp, offensive lineman La’El Collins, cornerback Te’Cory Couch, tight end Zach Davidson, offensive lineman Richard Gouraige, cornerback Daeqaun Hardy, tight end Tre’ McKitty and defensive tackle DeShawn Williams.