A significant amount has happened since the last prediction. First, and perhaps the most important issue is the COVID-19 protocols catching up to the Buffalo Bills. Cole Beasley, Gabriel Davis, Star Lotulelei, and Vernon Butler will all sit at home for five days because there were deemed close contacts to a member of the staff who tested positive for COVID-19.
As an extra precaution, the Bills decided to also send home linebackers A.J. Klein and Matt Milano but they were expected to return the following day. All six players who were sent home tested negative and will be closely monitored by Buffalo over the next couple of days. While there is no outbreak yet this certainly makes things interesting for Buffalo.
Buffalo also cut five players from the roster some of whom may be a surprise to some. Linebacker Tyrell Adams, wide receiver Lance Lenoir, safety Tariq Thompson, tight end Bug Howard, and center Tyler Gauthier. Those who come to a surprise are Tyrell Adams who was 12th in the NFL in tackles last season and Lance Lenoir whom many thought was a practice squad candidate after playing well throughout camp.
In addition to that Buffalo released Duke Williams with an injury designation. He passed through waivers so he returned to Buffalo and is place on injured reserve alongside guard Forrest Lamp who was placed on IR earlier this week.
Because Buffalo has many players on the COVID-19 List which means they do not count towards the roster they signed some additional players to come in for the week and perhaps beyond that. WR Rico Gafford and DT Joey Ivie were claimed from the Cardinals and Colts respectively. They also signed RB Kerrith Whyte and CB Tim Harris to replace the two players placed on IR.
This was quite the amount of roster shuffling by Brandon Beane and it makes some of the roster spots a little more clear. With two preseason games down and one to go most of the roster is completed. However, there are certainly some spots still up for grabs that have several players from all different positions competing.
Buffalo has sort of an injury bug at the moment but nothing seems long-term.
DT Star Lotulelei
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) August 24, 2021
DT Harrison Phillips
DT Trayvon Hester
LB Matt Milano
LB AJ Klein
CB Levi Wallace
CB Dane Jackson
S Jaquan Johnson
Isaiah McKenzie was hurt during Tuesday’s practice and hopefully will not miss any time.
With that being said, this roster prediction will assume that the injuries that have occurred are more short-term issues that will not affect roster placement. Also, players listed as cut are listed in order from most likely to make the roster to least.
If you did not check out the 53-man roster prediction before Buffalo took on the Bears last weekend feel free to read through it and compare here.