Bills inch closer to 53-man roster as cuts loom
With final rosters due in seven days, the Buffalo Bills are tightening their decisions ahead of the August 26 deadline at 4 p.m. ET. After a limited slate of practices and one remaining preseason game against the Buccaneers, here’s where Buffalo stands on the roster bubble and what it means for their 2025 depth chart.
Roster status snapshot
Firmly on the roster (40)
Josh Allen, James Cook, Ty Johnson, Ray Davis, Reggie Gilliam, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, Khalil Shakir, Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes, Dion Dawkins, David Edwards, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, Alec Anderson, Tylan Grable, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Greg Rousseau, Joey Bosa, A.J. Epenesa, Landon Jackson, Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, T.J. Sanders, Deone Walker, Terrel Bernard, Matt Milano, Dorian Williams, Taron Johnson, Cam Lewis, Christian Benford, Tre’Davious White, Taylor Rapp, Cole Bishop, Damar Hamlin, Jordan Hancock, Tyler Bass, Reid Ferguson.
In, but doesn’t count against the initial 53
DE Michael Hoecht (suspended six games)
To IR, or not to IR (1)
CB Maxwell Hairston — a sprained LCL has delayed his ramp-up, and while he’s off crutches and moving well, Buffalo has not yet begun full practice integration. If he progresses quickly, he could avoid IR; otherwise, IR remains a possibility.
Looking like a good bet to make it (6)
QB Mitchell Trubisky, WR Elijah Moore, DE Javon Solomon, LB Joe Andreessen, CB Dane Jackson, CB Dorian Strong
– Trubisky has been the steadier backup in camp and could reclaim the role behind Josh Allen.
– Moore has flashed as a versatile option in the slot (and could contribute as a returner) if needed.
– Solomon, Andreessen, Jackson, and Strong have shown enough to stay in the mix via special teams and depth.
Most likely safe, but worth mentioning (2)
DT DeWayne Carter — his performance against the Bears showed he’s versatile as a run defender and remains a value depth piece behind the higher-profile tackles.
P Brad Robbins — shown consistency as a holder and has delivered decent punt coverage work; unless a surprise upgrade appears, Buffalo would likely keep him as the punter.
Could be in trouble even before suspension starts
DT Larry Ogunjobi — with Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, and reserves moving well, plus the suspension looming, Buffalo could end up carrying six defensive tackles if they keep Ogunjobi, which could clash with other depth needs. If they cut him, they’d save cap room (roughly $400K) and might better align with the 2025 cap situation.
Bubble watch (19 for 4 spots; 5 spots if Hairston starts the year on IR)
Quarterback
– Mike White
Running back
– Frank Gore Jr.
Wide receiver
– Curtis Samuel — highly paid and most proven, but hampered by a hamstring injury in camp; his guaranteed $6.9 million makes the decision difficult, especially if others rise.
– Tyrell Shavers
– Laviska Shenault
– Kristian Wilkerson
– Kaden Prather
– K.J. Hamler
Tight end
– Zach Davidson
Offensive line
– Ryan Van Demark
– Chase Lundt
– Kendrick Green
– Mike Edwards
Defensive tackle
– Zion Logue
Linebacker
– Shaq Thompson
– Edefuan Ulofoshio
Cornerback
– Ja’Marcus Ingram
Safety
– Darrick Forrest
Special teams
– Brandon Codrington
Key notes and implications
– Hairston’s health is pivotal. If he can return to practice quickly and show depth, he could avoid IR; if not, the Bills may opt to place him on IR to preserve a spot for other position flexibility.
– Ogunjobi’s status looms large. If Buffalo decides to ride with six defensive tackles through the suspension period, it tightens the rest of the roster, especially on the interior and with six ends available.
– The backfield competition remains modest, but Mitigated by Trubisky’s late-Camp surge and White’s familiarity with the system. If Trubisky distinguishes himself in the final week, he could seal a familiar backup role once again.
– The wide receiver group remains crowded and intriguing. Samuel’s guaranteed money complicates any decision, but strong showings from Shenault, Shavers, Wilkerson, and Prather provide the Bills options for offense or special teams. Shenault’s multi-positional resume adds value if the Bills want a hybrid role, especially in the return game.
– Special teams continue to matter. Codrington’s ability as a returner could be the decisive edge in a crowded returner competition that also features Shavers and Shenault.
What to watch next
– Final practices and the preseason game versus the Buccaneers will be critical for players on the bubble. Teams typically use this week to finalize depth and identify unique special-teams contributions.
– The Bills will weigh cap implications against roster flexibility. Any late moves could hinge on who becomes available or who can contribute most across offense, defense, and special teams.
Takeaway and positive spin
Buffalo heads into the final week with a clear structure: a strong starting core, a defined group of clear backups, and a competitive bubble segment that could be shaped by health, performance, and special-teams value. There is optimism in the depth pieces who have shown versatility in camp, especially at wide receiver and on the defensive line. If the Bills can keep Hairston healthy and navigate Ogunjobi’s suspension efficiently, they’ll enter the season with options to deploy players in multiple roles, a reality that can pay dividends in a long NFL season.
Summary take
– The Bills have 40 players effectively locked in, with a handful on the edge of making the final 53.
– The critical decisions center on health-based IR options, a few veteran backups, and a number of younger players who have flashed value on special teams and in practice.
– Final cuts will reflect a balance between cap considerations, depth needs, and the versatility showcased by several bubble players.
Commentary and context
Buffalo’s approach mirrors a broader NFL strategy: prioritize versatility and special-teams impact in the later rounds of cut-downs, especially with a tight cap and a season that will test depth across multiple games. Fans can look for a few last-minute churn moves that maximize value without sacrificing the core identity of the roster.
Potential headline-worthy angles
– How Hairston’s health could influence the Bills’ final 53.
– The economics of keeping Ogunjobi versus cap relief.
– A closer look at Shenault, Shavers, and Samuel in a crowded receiver room and what that means for the offense in 2025.
Note: If you’d like, I can tailor this rewrite to fit a specific WordPress template or adjust the emphasis toward offense, defense, or special teams for your site. I can also add a brief player-by-player mini-profile for the bubble group to enhance reader engagement.