Buffalo Bills

Jackson Hawes

TE

"Everyone thinks of Jackson as the blocking tight end," Allen said. "He has some nuance to his receiving game. His hands are better than people give him credit for. He stays quiet, makes plays." Across 17 regular-season appearances last season, Hawes played 487 offensive snaps and was asked to block on 384 of those. On 103 routes, Hawes caught 16 of his 19 targets for 187 yards and three touchdowns. While Allen credited Hawes for his receiving acumen, the tight end isn't expected to be a featured player in the Buffalo passing game this season.

Skyler Bell

WR

Bell missed Buffalo's preseason opener last week and still isn't quite yet 100 percent ahead of Saturday's exhibition. The fourth-round rookie should make the Bills' 53-man roster, but him potentially not being able to practice much or play in preseason games would likely hurt his chances for earning a role on game days to begin the regular season.

DJ Moore

WR

Moore was limited in practice Tuesday after getting banged up in preseason action Saturday against the Panthers. He has progressed back to full participation Thursday, indicating that the injury is no longer hampering him. Buffalo is battling injuries to its wide receiver room behind Moore, as Khalil Shakir (undisclosed), Keon Coleman (foot) and Skyler Bell (lower body) are all hurt.

Khalil Shakir

WR

The nature of Shakir's injury has not been revealed. He seems unlikely to suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Browns, though no official declaration has come on that front. DJ Moore (lower body), Keon Coleman (foot) and Skyler Bell (lower body) are also dealing with injuries in Buffalo's banged-up wide receiver room.

Ty Johnson

RB

questionable

Phidarian Mathis

DT

reserve-sus

Connor McGovern

C

questionable

Keon Coleman

WR

questionable

Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles

LB

ir

Ben VanSumeren

FB

Chase Lundt

OT

Greg Gaines

DT

Gaines is a 6-foot-1, 312-pound nose tackle. The Bills' defense currently has standout second-year player Deone Walker set to fill the starting nose tackle role, but the team does not have much further depth at the position. Gaines is a strong space eater with a chance to fulfill a key depth role for the Bills in 2026 if he can prove himself throughout the preseason. The 30-year-old's first opportunity to show his stuff will be Saturday's showdown against the Browns. The Bills waived defensive lineman Tommy Akingbesote in a corresponding move.

Tyler Bass

PK

Bass is back at full health after recovering from a pelvic injury that cost him the entire 2025 season. The Bills don't even have another kicker on the roster, so Bass will be the beneficiary of what should be a productive offense led by superstar Josh Allen, a new offensive-minded head coach in Joe Brady, and a new home stadium that could help minimize the impact of the wind, even if it lacks a roof.

Otis Reese IV

LB

Reese will return to Buffalo after being released by the team Friday. The linebacker appeared in 20 regular-season games between 2023 and 2024 with the Titans, registering 38 total tackles (20 solo) and an interception in that span. Reese didn't play in a regular-season game last year, and he's likely competing for a practice squad spot with the Bills in 2026.

Dalton Kincaid

TE

Kincaid and Dawson Knox (10 snaps) saw limited action during Saturday's exhibition contest, with Keleki Latu leading the tight end group with 31 snaps on offense. Kincaid was limited to 12 regular-season games in 2025 while playing through a torn PCL that he originally sustained in November 2024. The 2023 first-rounder entered training camp with a clean bill of health and should see more involvement in the passing attack as a reliable set of hands/target for QB Josh Allen.

Ray Davis

RB

James Cook got the start in the backfield during the Bills' preseason opener and played the whole first quarter, but Davis was the next RB into the game and had a very productive day. Davis' numbers as a pass-catcher were surprising considering that the third-year back has just 27 career catches in 34 regular-season contests, but new offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael has suggested that Cook could see more usage as a receiver in 2026, and Davis might benefit from that wrinkle in the scheme as well when he's on the field.

James Cook III

RB

The reigning NFL rushing champ played the entire first quarter in the Bills' preseason opener, and Cook's longest gain was a 13-yard scamper that helped set up a Keon Coleman touchdown. Josh Allen remains the focal point of the offense, but Cook proved last season that he can rack up elite production as well, and the fifth-year RB could see more receiving work in 2026 as new offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael adds some wrinkles to Joe Brady's scheme.

Josh Allen

QB

Getting the start in the Bills' preseason opener, Allen played the entire first quarter and led his team on two scoring drives, the second of which ended in a nine-yard TD strike to Keon Coleman. Allen didn't run the ball, but the 30-year-old quarterback is saving his legs for the regular season after scoring at least 12 rushing TDs each of the last three years and topping 500 rushing yards each of the last five.

Dorian Williams

LB

C.J. Gardner-Johnson

S

Gardner-Johnson participated in both individual and team drills Thursday, making a quick recovery from the calf strain he'd suffered in Saturday's practice. The veteran safety should be able to participate without restrictions moving forward as he gears up to play a key role in the Bills' secondary this coming season.

Landon Jackson

DE

Jackson was placed on the Bills' IR in mid-November due to a knee injury and did not play in a single regular-season game following the move. He appears to be fully healthy and is in training camp competing for a depth spot on Buffalo's 53-man roster for the 2026 campaign.

Michael Hoecht

DE

Hoecht tore his right Achilles during the Bills' Week 9 contest against the Chiefs. That was just his second appearance of the 2025 regular season after he missed the first six games while serving a suspension. He's drawn praise from his teammates and coaching staff for his approach to his rehab, and Hoecht is hoping to be available for the Bills' regular-season opener against the Texans on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Cole Bishop

S

The safety underwent a cleanup procedure on his knee during the offseason but is back to 100 percent health and appears locked into a starting job in the Buffalo secondary. Bishop started all 17 regular-season games last season, posting 85 tackles (53 solo), including 2.0 sacks and seven pass breakups, including three interceptions.

Dante Pettis

WR

The 2018 second-rounder has played in 66 career games, racking up 92 catches for 1,231 yards and 13 touchdowns. He participated in eight regular-season contests for the Saints in 2025, collecting nine receptions for 127 yards, but he was primarily a special-teams player. The release of Jalen Virgil (undisclosed) enabled Pettis to earn a roster spot for training camp.

Tyrell Shavers

WR

Shavers tore his ACL during the Bills' 27-24 win over the Jaguars in the 2025 wild-card round. Shavers played in all 17 regular-season games during the 2025 season, catching 15-of-23 targets for 245 yards and one touchdown. It remains to be seen where the 26-year-old fits into the 2026 Bills' offensive scheme, as Joshua Palmer is returning from an ankle issue, and the team drafted Skyler Bell in the fourth round of the 2026 draft.