Bills' Roster Cutdown Tracker: Fullback, Sixth WR Amongst Victims in Sunday's Purge

The Buffalo Bills cut 34 players on their way down to the NFL-mandated 53-man roster limit. Additionally, three were placed on reserve lists and one was traded away.

After officially releasing 13 players on Saturday afternoon, the Bills trimmed 21 more hopefuls off the 90-man roster before Sunday's 6 p.m. ET deadline.

On Sunday morning, the Bills dealt center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, a 2024 fifth-round draft pick, to the Indianapolis Colts.

Getting started by cutting two specialists on Saturday

Buffalo kicked off the roster purge by informing two veterans of their imminent release on Saturday.

Incumbent punter Mitch Wishnowsky and former Kansas City Chiefs' second-round wide receiver Mecole Hardman won't be on the Bills' 53-man roster, which must prove compliant by Sunday, August 30 at 6 p.m. ET. Neither of the reported cuts come as a surprise.

Wishnowsky's release means that seventh-round rookie punter Tommy Doman won the position battle this summer. Meanwhile, the Bills may still opt to keep six wide receivers on the roster even after cutting Hardman. Veteran Trent Sherfield is likely to be the choice if Buffalo wants a WR6.

Hardman's release does create a question at punt returner. Backup running back Ray Davis is attempting to learn the position, and the only other options are wide receivers Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman. The Bills may hestitate to force Shakir into the role due to increased injury potential.

Aug 27, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mecole Hardman (1) is unable to make a reception against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at New Highmark Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Both Wishnowsky and Hardman are vested veterans, meaning they will be released without being subjected to waivers. Any player with fewer than four years of service time must pass through waivers after being cut.

Bills' cuts (vested veterans)

QB Shane Buechele
With Kyle Allen winning the backup QB competition, Buechele will presumably be asked to stick around in a practice squad capacity.

WR Mecole Hardman
Hardman simply didn't do enough to deserve a roster spot, failing to seize a golden punt return opportunity.

WR Dante Pettis
After joining the Bills late in the summer, Pettis had his moments, but not enough to earn a job for the former second-round pick.

WR Trent Sherfield
The Bills opted to keep only five wide receivers, and Sherfield is the odd man out.

S Geno Stone
As training camp wore on, it began to look more and more like it was either Stone or Damar Hamlin for the fourth safety spot. Hamlin's experience wins out, and it's also worth noting Stone was playing banged up.

P Mitch Wishnowsky
Wishnowsky joined the Bills in Week 5 last year, but his days were numbered when the team drafted Florida hang time specialist Tommy Doman in April.

TE Shane Zylstra
Zylstra, who spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Detroit Lions, signed with the Bills in May.

Bills' cuts (subject to waivers)

G Nick Broeker
The Bills' 2023 seventh-round pick could wind up on the practice squad due to his organizational familiarity.

ILB Jimmy Ciarlo
The former Army captain, and "Hard Knocks" darling, is ideal special teams insurance if they can get him onto a P-Squad.

DL Travis Clayton
The Bills' former seventh-round draft pick switched from offense to defense this offseason, but was unable to get any traction in the trenches.

DB Te'Cory Couch
The practice squad player took another step forward this summer, but fell victim to a numbers game.

OLB Cade Denhoff
The undrafted rookie from Clemson was relatively quiet all summer.

CB Jordan Dunbar
Dunbar flashed at times, but ulltimately the undrafted rookie was overshadowed by fellow UDFA Kani Walker.

OL Bruno Fina
The son of former Bills' first-round tackle John Fina showed a versatility that could lead to a practice squad opportunity.

ILB Therion Gaines
The undrafted small-school product faced an uphill battle and was unable to insert himself into a competition with Joe Andreessen and Keonta Jenkins.

RB Frank Gore Jr.
Will the son of the NFL legend spend a third season on the Bills' practice squad?

WR Stephen Gosnell
Gosnell spent his entire rookie season on the Bills' practice squad, so don't be surprised if he resurfaces next week.

C Sincere Haynesworth
The UFL product was signed to help the Bills get through the preseason finale.

ILB Keonta Jenkins
Likely one of the final cuts as the Bills decide to keep only four inside linebackers, Jenkins could return to the P-Squad where he spent the 2025 campaign.

OLB Andre Jones
After spending 2025 primarily as a practice squad member, Jones threatened to steal a roster spot this year, but he lost out to Javon Solomon and Mike Danna.

DB Anthony Kendall
The former Division III All-American had a narrow path to a roster spot as a full-time special teamer.

DL Zion Logue
Logue spent much of the past two seasons on Buffalo's practice squad, but failed to stand out in the new defensive scheme.

T Chase Lundt
The 2025 seventh-rounder was a gameday inactive throughout his rookie season and seemingly failed to improve over the summer.

WR Ja'mori Maclin
The undrafted rookie led the Bils in receiving yards this preseason, making him an intriguing developmental prospect for the practice squad.

Ja'maori Maclin — Aug 27, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Daryl Porter (27) breaks up a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Ja'mori Maclin (84) | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

CB DJ Miller
The Bills signed the former spring league standout at the start of training camp.

S Wande Owens
The former undrafted free agent suffers the same fate for the second summer in a row.

CB Toriano Pride
The seventh-round rookie was a long shot from the get-go, and appeared to have fallen behind undrafted cornerback Kani Walker.

LB Otis Reese
Reese, who spent two weeks on the BIlls' practice squad last season, rejoined the team in early August. He offers special teams value, but not much else.

WR Quentin Skinner
The former Jets' castoff joined the Bills in mid-July, and was subsequently targeted only once as a receiver during preseason game action.

WR Max Tomczak
The small-school undrafted rookie flashed potential as a developmental wide receiver, making the practice squad a possibility.

FB Ben VanSumeren
The Bills aren't rolling with a fullback to start the season, meaning VanSumeren is out of a job.

CB Kani Walker
It initially looked as if Walker would survive cutdown day as the Bills' CB4. If Buffalo wants him back, he'll have to pass through waivers first.

OL Da'Metrius Weatherspoon
The undrafted Syracuse product was more of a camp body than legitimate contender.

RB Ian Wheeler
The UFL Bowl MVP was the feel-good story of training camp, but there simply is no room in a complete backfield.

Traded by Bills

C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
This move seemed inevitable since the spring when we predicted that Van Pran-Granger would not be on the opening day roster. The Bills sent the 2024 fifth-round pick to the Colts.

Bills' Injured Reserve

DL Zane Durant
The fifth-round rookie will begin the season on Injured Reserve, freeing up a roster spot for the time being.

Bills' Reserve / Physically Unable to Perform

WR Tyrell Shavers
Shavers tore his ACL during the January playoff win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he's yet to return to practice.

Bills' Reserve / Suspended

DT Phidarian Mathis
Suspended for the first three weeks of the regular season, the Bills have some time to decide on Mathis.

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