Buffalo Bills roster cuts tracker as team gets to 53 players

The Buffalo Bills must trim their roster to the NFL-mandated 53 by Sunday at 6 p.m., and there is no doubt that coach Joe Brady and general manager Brandon Beane face several difficult calls, several of which began to trickle in Saturday according to media reports.

While many roster spots appear settled, competition at the bottom of the roster is fierce as the Bills try to piece together the team that will begin the 2026 season in Houston Sept. 13.

Follow along throughout Saturday and Sunday for live updates, analysis and reaction as the Bills announce roster cuts, build their practice squad and reshape the roster ahead of the regular season.

According to media reports, the Bills are getting an early start on their roster reduction, and the two most prominent names are wide receiver/punt returner Mecole Hardman and punter Mitch Wishnowsky.

Hardman was in the running to be the punt returner and he returned four for 50 yards, but what likely cost him a chance to make the team is that he was so inconsistent as a receiver. He caught only four of eight targets for 20 yards and he dropped two.

The Bills want Ray Davis to be the punt returner because that would open up a spot at another position.

Wishnowsky was on the chopping block from the moment the Bills spent a seventh-round draft pick on Tommy Doman. When teams pick a punter in the draft, it takes a spectacular failure for that player to not make the team and Doman certainly didn’t fail.

Wishnowsky joined the Bills in Week 5 last season and performed well, settling down a chaotic punting situation, but Doman is now working on a low-profile and controlled cost four-year rookie contract so the Bills save a little salary cap space.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Buffalo Bills roster cuts tracker as team gets to 53 players