Overview
- The Bills announced the release of wide receiver/punt returner Mecole Hardman and veteran punter Mitch Wishnowsky on Saturday as the team started trimming its roster ahead of the 53-player deadline at 6 p.m. ET Sunday.
- Rookie seventh-round pick Tommy Doman Jr. won the punting competition with strong preseason work, prompting Buffalo to choose the younger, cheaper option over Wishnowsky for the Week 1 role.
- Hardman’s roster spot was weakened by limited offensive production in 2025 and improved in-house return work from Ray Davis, who reduced the need for Hardman as the primary punt returner.
- The Bills cut 13 players in the initial wave, including Dante Pettis and several camp hopefuls, and several of the released players are likely candidates for practice-squad signings or waiver claims.
- Beyond the immediate roster moves, the decisions free modest salary and roster space and set up next steps of waiver processing and practice-squad construction as Buffalo finalizes its depth for the regular season.