Buffalo Bills reportedly release O.J. Howard, Duke Johnson
The Buffalo Bills on Tuesday morning reportedly released two free agent signings from this offseason. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bills released running back Duke Johnson and tight end O.J. Howard.
The release of O.J. Howard is surprising due to the financial implications of the move. The Bills signed Howard to a one-year deal worth $3.5 million but made the salary fully guaranteed. The fact they released him, now results in dead cap of over $2.6 million this year, along with $625,000 next year.
If the Buffalo Bills were able to trade him, that total would have dropped to $675,000 this year. The front office likely explored this option but didn’t find anyone interested in a trade. Howard didn’t show much during the preseason which probably made a trade a tough sell.
The team will now look to either Tommy Sweeney or Quintin Morris to be the backup tight end.
Duke Johnson might return to the Buffalo Bills on the practice squad
The other player that the Buffalo Bills reportedly released this morning was running back Duke Johnson. He was signed after the Bills weren’t able to sign J.D. McKissic but had an uphill climb to a roster spot after the team drafted James Cook.
It is interesting to note that Schefter did tweet that the team would be interested in bringing him back as part of the practice squad.
Bills are releasing veteran running back Duke Johnson, per source. Bills do have an interest in bringing him back on their practice squad if he doesn’t sign with another team’s active roster.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2022
Johnson was productive during the preseason with 84 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 92 kick return yards, and six punt return yards. If the Bills were to bring back Johnson to the practice squad, they would have a player that could contribute in multiple areas at running back but also on special teams if they were forced to deal with injuries at the position.
However, it raises the question of where Raheem Blackshear fits with the Buffalo Bills. He was one of the best players for the Bills across all three preseason games and seemed like a perfect candidate for the practice squad but it would be surprising for the team to have two running backs on their practice squad.
Blackshear is going to be a player to watch closely over the next two days as the Buffalo Bills continue to cut their roster and then build their practice squad on Wednesday.
