Bills make important special teams change, tab former All-Pro for featured role

The Buffalo Bills signed a former All-Pro return specialist to their practice squad earlier this week, and they wasted no time activating him

Jan 12, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (17) returns a kickoff against the Houston Texans in AFC Divisional Round | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Brandon Codrington is out. Mecole Hardman is in.

The Buffalo Bills made a notable roster move on the eve of their November 16 home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Releasing their primary return specialist to create a roster spot, the Bills replaced Codrington by signing Hardman off the practice squad on Saturday.

It's presumed that Hardman, who only joined the Bills earlier this week, will immediately handle all kick and punt return duties. Hardman, a 2019 second-round draft pick, also has the ability to line up on offense in multiple capacities.

MORE: Bills attempt to boost WR corps by calling up postseason record holder to face Bucs

"You look at position flexibility. He brings some of that. The speed element is real, having gone against him," said Bills' head coach Sean McDermott on Wednesday in Orchard Park. "He hasn't played in a little bit of time here. We gotta take it one day at a time albeit, but I'm really interested in seeing how he's gonna help us."

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (12) scores the winning touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during overtime in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

While making the one-dimensional Codrington a healthy scratch for five of nine games this season, the Bills have struggled to attain adequate field position. Buffalo owns the second-worst average drive start (28.5) in the NFL. The Bills also rank next-to-last amongst teams in punt return average (5.8).

For the Chiefs in 2024, Hardman accounted for 10.2 yards per punt return and 26.4 yards per kick return. As a rookie in 2019, he earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors for his efforts.

The 27-year-old Hardman, who caught the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LVIII, has 1,892 career return yards to his credit.

RELATED: What Bills' practice squad looks like after injuries force busy month of movement

After trading for Codrington on cutdown day in 2024, the Bills deployed the rookie for all 17 regular season games before moving away from him during the playoffs. He posted an 11.6 punt return average and accounted for 27.8 yards per kick return.

Electing to not use a gameday roster spot for Codrington more often than not this fall, the Bills required wide receiver Khalil Shakir to serve double duty as a punt returner while trying running back Ray Davis as a kick returner alongside wide receiver Curtis Samuel.

In the end, a lack of position flexibility likely cost Codrington his roster spot.

Oct 13, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Brandon Codrington (29) carries the ball on a kick-off return against the Atlanta Falcons | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

— Sign up for OnSI’s Free Buffalo Bills Newsletter —

More Buffalo Bills News:

• Bills' returning WR can help Joe Brady 'get this pass game where it needs to be'

• Bills' newest additions share common ability that has Sean McDermott 'excited'

• Bills' first-round rookie earns Sean McDermott's praise for 'big-time moment'

• Bills' Michael Hoecht selects surgeon who operated on Aaron Rodgers, Kobe Bryant