Full Breakdown
Bills Face Critical Veteran Roster Cuts Ahead of August 30 Deadline
8/27/2026, 8:15:30 AM
Final Roster Decisions Loom
The Buffalo Bills must trim their roster to the NFL-mandated 53-man limit by the August 30 deadline. With one preseason game left against the Pittsburgh Steelers, head coach Joe Brady and GM Brandon Beane are weighing the future of several veteran players who have been on the bubble all summer.
Players on the Bubble
- Mike Danna – Edge Rusher – Signed in May after six years with Kansas City, Danna recorded two sacks in the preseason opener against Carolina. He sits behind third-year pass rusher Javon Solomon and needs a standout play against Pittsburgh to stay.
- Damar Hamlin – Safety – The 28-year-old, who survived a life-threatening injury three seasons ago, is competing with Sam Franklin Jr., Geno Stone, Te’Cory Couch and rookie Jalon Kilgore. Limited first-team reps stem from injuries to Cole Bishop and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Coaches called his recent play “very uninspiring.”
- Mecole Hardman Jr. – WR / Punt Returner – A two-time Super Bowl champion entered camp as a candidate for the sixth receiver slot and primary punt-return duties. He has fallen behind Dante Pettis and Ray Davis in the returner race and dropped two passes in the August 22 win over Cleveland.
- Phidarian Mathis – Defensive Tackle – The former second-round pick of Washington was suspended for three games for a substance-abuse violation. The Bills signed veteran DT Greg Gaines on August 18, further jeopardizing Mathis’s chances once his suspension ends.
- Ben VanSumeren – Fullback – After the release of fullback Jackson Acker, speculation suggested VanSumeren might fill the role. The Bills have not confirmed a need for a fullback, and he could be cut if the offense favors tight end Jackson Hawes.
- Sedrick Van Pran-Granger – Interior OL – Initially viewed as the backup to center Connor McGovern, Van Pran-Granger is losing that battle to Lloyd Cushenberry and may seek a trade before the deadline.
- Geno Stone – Safety – Signed to a $1.4 million one-year deal, Stone’s slow processing has drawn criticism and could place him among the veterans released.
Additional special-teams contributors include Trent Sherfield, who logged at least 150 special-teams snaps each season, and Ray Davis, the 2025 All-Pro kick returner. Their roles could influence Hardman’s roster status.
Official Statements & Responses
Head coach Joe Brady highlighted rookie wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, noting, “He has a lot of fun playing football. He’s very bright, can play a lot of positions.” The comment underscores the staff’s emphasis on multi-role players as the Bills finalize their roster.
Data & Statistics
- Danna: 2 sacks in preseason opener.
- Sherfield: 66 receiving yards on six targets across two preseason games.
- Hardman: 91 career punt returns for 823 yards and 1 TD; 2 drops in the August 22 game.
- Stone: $1.4 million contract, the lowest among Bills veteran safeties.
Why It Matters
The Bills’ decisions will shape the defensive front, secondary depth, and special-teams efficiency for the 2026 season. Retaining versatile players like Hardman and Sherfield could enhance punt-return options, while cutting underperforming veterans may free cap space for younger talent.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Public information does not yet reveal the Bills’ definitive rankings of the veterans listed, nor confirm which players have been formally released ahead of the deadline. The final roster will be known after the August 30 cut-down day.
What’s Next
The roster deadline on August 30 will determine which veterans secure a spot on the Bills’ 53-man roster and which will seek opportunities with other NFL teams.
