Buffalo Bills activate three players from Reserve/COVID-19 list

The Buffalo Bills activate three players from the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday.

On Saturday, the Buffalo Bills announced cornerback Josh Norman had tested positive for COVID-19 and the team placed three players on the Reserve/COVID-19 along with Norman since they were close contacts. That group included tight end Tyler Kroft, cornerback Levi Wallace, and safety Dean Marlowe.

On Thursday, the team announced those three players were taken off the list.

There was no question that the announcement on Saturday created a challenge for the coaching staff heading into the game with the Arizona Cardinals. The team saw three players in their secondary miss the game against an offense that runs offensive sets with four wide receivers more than any team in the NFL.

The good news is that for the most part the players that stepped up did a good job in their place. Rookie Dane Jackson got his second career start and finished with eight total tackles, one pass defended, and a fumble recovery.

At tight end, the absence of Kroft created an opportunity for Dawson Knox, who would end up play 70% of the offensive snaps, but finished with only two receptions and 16 yards. The second season for Knox has been underwhelming with eight receptions, 109 yards but no touchdowns.

Now that Kroft has returned to the active roster, the coaching staff should continue to look to him as the primary starter at the position. The veteran has been the more productive tight end this season with 12 receptions, 119 yards, and three touchdowns. He has become a popular target for Josh Allen as the team gets into the red zone and close to the end zone.

The Buffalo Bills are currently on their bye week and will not have a game this weekend. Their next game will be in Week 12 against the Los Angeles Chargers.