Kickoff from Denver is just a little over 24 hours away and the Buffalo Bills received great news ahead of this showdown out west. The Bills reported that both DT Ed Oliver and WR Curtis Samuel have been activated from Injured Reserve and they will now be in line to play against Denver.
In addition, the Bills have also elevated WR Mecole Hardman and RB Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad. It’s no surprising to see Hardman elevated as the Bills’ receiving core as taken a huge hit with injuries to Gabe Davis and Tyrell Shavers. As for Gore Jr., he suited up last Sunday with Ty Johnson being out.
Johnson is coming into this game questionable and only practiced on Thursday, so Gore Jr. could be on the sideline again if Johnson isn’t ready to go.
We have made the following roster moves:
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 16, 2026
- Activated WR Curtis Samuel and DT Ed Oliver from Injured Reserve
- Elevated WR Mecole Hardman Jr. and RB Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad@Ticketmaster | #BUFvsDEN pic.twitter.com/TVCXgLozx4
Bills get Ed Oliver back just in time for matchup against Broncos
Buffalo’s defense has been horrendous against the run this season, there’s no denying that. In addition, they don’t provide enough pressure up the middle when quarterbacks drop back to pass. While Deone Walker has been a great addition to the defensive line, the Bills need Oliver back to get that interior pressure up the middle.
Oliver has only played in three games this season, missing time for a foot injury in the beginning of the season and then being placed on the IR for a bicep injury he suffered in Week 8 against Carolina.
He must have done enough to show the Bills that he is ready to go and Buffalo’s defense should be extremely thankful that #91 will be out on the field for the defense.
It will be curious to see who Buffalo will go with at defensive tackle now. For most of the season, the Bills have worked with guys like Larry Ogunjobi and Phadarian Mathis, who have provided some value.
With Oliver coming back, you have him, DaQuan Jones, T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker as your roster locks. Maybe with Oliver coming back, both Mathis and Ogunjobi will be ruled inactive. Or maybe, the Bills should strongly consider activating five defensive tackles to help with the run-defense.
The final inactives for both teams will come out 90 minutes prior to kickoff, so fans don’t want to miss out on the roster updates.