Ryan O'Halloran: 10 thoughts on the Buffalo Bills' initial 53-man roster
Buffalo News sports columnist Ryan O'Halloran shares his opening 10 thoughts about the Buffalo Bills' initial 53-man roster.
Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott looks on during his team’s preseason loss to Chicago this month. The Bills cut down their roster to 53 on Tuesday. Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
Ten thoughts on the Buffalo Bills’ initial 53-man roster:
1. The Bills likely received good injury news on several players who sat out last week. They kept tight end Quintin Morris (shoulder), safety Damar Hamlin (hamstring), linebacker Baylon Spector (calf) and receivers Curtis Samuel (toe) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (neck) on the initial roster, meaning they think there is a possibility they will play against Arizona in Week 1. It also gives them the option of seeing how they work this week in practice and then putting them on injured reserve, which means they will be out a minimum four games.
2. Looking at the receiver depth chart remains jarring all these months later. Only Khalil Shakir was a receiver for the Bills last year. That’s it. Samuel (Washington), Valdes-Scantling (Kansas City), Mack Hollins (Atlanta) and Keon Coleman (Florida State) were acquired during the offseason. You don’t see that kind of positional turnover that often. The Bills must replace 82.1% of their 2023 receiver catches.
3. The Bills might be in the backup tight end market if Morris isn’t available. Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox are the only healthy tight ends. The Bills could bring back Zach Davidson or Tre’ McKitty.
4. Get your arm ready, Bills offensive quality control coach Kyle Shurmur. The former Vanderbilt quarterback’s services will be needed during Wednesday’s practice. Josh Allen is the only healthy quarterback on the initial 53-man roster after the Bills cut Ben DiNucci and Anthony Brown. Mitchell Trubisky (knee) is sidelined, meaning another arm will be added and coached up to be the No. 2 for at least the opener. I have seen this one other time. In 2019, the Denver Broncos had starter Joe Flacco, and a day after the initial roster placed Drew Lock on injured reserve and claimed Brandon Allen from the Los Angeles Rams.
5. All praise for former Lancaster High/University at Buffalo linebacker Joe Andreessen for making the initial roster after starting the offseason as a rookie tryout player. Even if the Bills add a veteran linebacker this week and Andreessen is waived and eventually signed to the practice squad, this month has been a victory for him. He labored early in camp during coverage drills, but he stayed healthy when Spector, Nicholas Morrow and Edefuan Ulofoshio were injured and he capitalized on his chances.
6. Another player rewarded for a solid training camp was cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram. Some days, you didn’t notice him, which meant he was playing solid coverage. Other days, you noticed him when he was around the football. Most telling about his status was when the Bills finally started using their six defensive backs package and Ingram was the dime player. He brings positional versatility.
7. Turns out, the Bills had a problem with rookie seventh-round pick Daequan Hardy catching five punts inside his 7-yard line during the preseason. As it was happening against Chicago and Pittsburgh, I thought the Bills’ coaches had given Hardy the green light to return the punt no matter the location. But they did have an issue with his decision making, something coach Sean McDermott pointed out after Saturday’s loss to Carolina. How else to explain the trade for New York Jets rookie returner Brandon Codrington. Compared with Hardy’s 20 career kick/punt returns at Penn State, Codrington had 130 (four touchdowns) combined kick/punt returns at North Carolina Central.
8. The Bills should hope running back Frank Gore Jr. clears waivers and can be signed to the practice squad. Let’s face it, running back injuries happen, and it is always good to have a replacement familiar with the system to call up. Gore’s 163 rushing yards were second in the NFL during the preseason (Dallas quarterback Trey Lance had 168 yards). The Bills are going with James Cook, Ty Johnson and rookie Ray Davis at tailback.
9. General manager Brandon Beane saw his two seventh-round picks last year (center Nick Broeker and cornerback Alex Austin) claimed off waivers by Houston after trying to slide them through. This year, the Bills kept eight of their 10 draft picks on the initial roster and placed seventh-rounder Travis Clayton on injured reserve. The only draft pick waived was Hardy.
10. I would find a way to sign receiver KJ Hamler to the practice squad. He got some time as a returner, which could make him a game-day call-up if the Bills are seeking a different look. In the locker room and on the practice field, Hamler will add some energy to the group. During a long season, that is always a valuable characteristic to have around.