The Buffalo Bills have released their initial 53-man roster for the 2025 NFL season, letting go 31 players to reach the regular-season limit. In addition to the 53 on the active roster, five players are on injured reserve and will have a chance to return, while two players begin the year suspended and won’t be eligible to participate until Week 7.
IR return candidates and season-ending injuries
– Maxwell Hairston, CB, IR/return — Buffalo’s top draft pick from April is on injured reserve with a return-to-play designation.
– Tylan Grable, OT, IR/return — Grable is also on IR with return-to-play status.
– Kaden Prather, WR, IR/season-ending — Prather cleared waivers after being waived/injured and will remain on IR for the season.
– Justin Hollins, DE, IR/season-ending — Hollins similarly cleared waivers and reverted to IR for the season.
– Darrynton Evans, RB, IR/season-ending — Evans’ preseason stint ends on IR for the year.
Suspensions that will delay two players’ debuts
– Michael Hoecht, DE — Suspended for six weeks.
– Larry Ogunjobi, DT — Suspended for six weeks.
Both players can return to full action in Week 7, at which point they would count toward the 53-man roster.
Official 53-man roster
Quarterbacks (2)
– Josh Allen
– Mitch Trubisky
Running backs (3)
– James Cook
– Ty Johnson
– Ray Davis
Fullbacks (1)
– Reggie Gilliam
Wide Receivers (6)
– Keon Coleman
– Elijah Moore
– Joshua Palmer
– Curtis Samuel
– Khalil Shakir
– Tyrell Shavers
Tight Ends (3)
– Dalton Kincaid
– Dawson Knox
– Jackson Hawes
Offensive Line (9)
– Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (C/G)
– Connor McGovern (OG/C)
– David Edwards (OG)
– O’Cyrus Torrence (OG)
– Chase Lundt (OT)
– Dion Dawkins (OT)
– Spencer Brown (OT)
– Alec Anderson (OT)
– Tylan Grable (OT) [IR/return]
– Ryan Van Demark (OT)
Defensive End / EDGE (5)
– Joey Bosa
– A.J. Epenesa
– Greg Rousseau
– Javon Solomon
– Landon Jackson (EDGE)
Defensive Tackle (5)
– DeWayne Carter
– DaQuan Jones
– Ed Oliver
– T.J. Sanders
– Deone Walker
Linebackers (5)
– Joe Andreessen
– Terrel Bernard
– Matt Milano
– Dorian Williams
– Shaq Thompson
Cornerbacks (7)
– Christian Benford
– Ja’Marcus Ingram
– Taron Johnson (nickel)
– Dorian Strong
– Tre’Davious White
– Brandon Codrington (DB/RET)
– Cam Lewis (nickel)
Safeties (4)
– Taylor Rapp
– Cole Bishop
– Damar Hamlin
– Jordan Hancock
Specialists (3)
– Tyler Bass (K)
– Brad Robbins (P)
– Reid Ferguson (LS)
IR designations (5)
– Maxwell Hairston (IR/return)
– Tylan Grable (IR/return)
– Darrynton Evans (IR/season-ending)
– Kaden Prather (IR/season-ending)
– Justin Hollins (IR/season-ending)
Bills on Reserve/Suspended (2)
– Michael Hoecht
– Larry Ogunjobi
What this means going forward
– The Bills have built a balanced roster with notable depth at wide receiver and cornerback, while counting on young players to contribute in key spots. The IR return-designated players give Buffalo a potential mid-season lift once cleared to practice and activated, and the six-week suspensions set expectations for a slower ramp to full strength until Week 7.
– Early-season decisions will likely focus on how practice squads and mid-season signings fill any temporary gaps caused by the IR and suspension timelines, especially in the defensive front and pass-catching groups.
Summary
Buffalo’s opening 53-man roster reflects a mix of veteran presence and youth, with five players on IR (two as return-to-play candidates) and two suspended to start the season. While Week 7 will bring the return of Hoecht and Ogunjobi, until then the Bills will navigate the first six weeks with the current roster and strategic depth in mind, aiming to hit the ground running when all hands are available.