The Buffalo Bills have until 6 p.m. EDT Sunday night to trim their roster down to 53 players, a process that began with Saturday’s news that Buffalo is releasing veteran wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. and incumbent punter Mitch Wishnowsky.
Who else will find themselves on the outside looking in heading into the 2026 NFL season? Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off hearing from Bills beat writers on who they think will make the active roster, and which players squarely on the roster bubble
will be cut over the weekend.
Check out the assessments below and then let us know your thoughts on those bubble players who deserve a spot on the 53-man roster.
Predicting Buffalo’s 53-man roster
So much for the notion that Thursday night’s home preseason victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers served as the final opportunity for players to state their case that they belonged on the active roster.
President of football operations/general manager Brandon Beane said leading up to the game that the Bills went into Thursday’s preseason finale with most of their 53-man roster set in stone, and that only about three roster spots were up for grabs versus the Steelers.
With a little more than 24 hours to go until roster cuts must be finalized, which veterans will join Hardman and find themselves looking for a new team? Will preseason standouts like running backs Frank Gore Jr. and Ian Wheeler, and cornerback Kani Walker make the squad? How many offensive and defensive linemen will Beane keep around?
- Final 2026 Buffalo Bills 53-man roster projection: Does fan favorite camp darling make the cut? – newyorkupstate.com
- With the preseason complete, a final 53-man roster projection for the Bills – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Our final Bills 53-man roster prediction ahead of Sunday’s deadline – Democrat & Chronicle
- Bills final 53-man roster projection: Who makes the cut — and who misses out? – The Athletic (subscription required)
- Final Bills 53-man roster projection – WGRZ
- Source: Bills releasing Hardman, Wishnowsky – ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog
- Bills’ First Two Player Cuts Seemed Inevitable Considering Circumstances – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Maddy Glab: Recapping Preseason Comeback Win Over The Steelers, Upcoming Roster Decisions – BuffaloBills.com
- 4 Buffalo Bills who played their way on or off the 53-man roster vs. Steelers – newyorkupstate.com
- Three Jobs That Were Likely Lost in Bills’ Preseason Week 3 Win over Steelers – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Bills Mailbag: Who could be on the trade block as final cuts approach? – Buffalo News (subscription required)
Even more Bills news
Examining the state of the AFC East as the Bills look to knock off the defending champion New England Patriots. Plus, discussing a potential trade scenario between Buffalo and the Washington Commanders ahead of roster cut down day; assessing rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell’s phenomenal performance in his preseason debut; and more!
- 2026 AFC East preview, offseason recap for Patriots, Bills, Dolphins & Jets – The Athletic (subscription required)
- Bills Predicted to Reclaim AFC East Crown Despite Major Question Mark – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- AFC East Division Odds for 2026 Season (Can Bills Take Back Title From Patriots?) – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Bills, Commanders Are Perfect Trade Partners Ahead of 53-Man Roster Cuts Deadline – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Bills’ Rookie Skyler Bell’s Standout Performance Bodes Well For Buffalo’s Future – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Man accused of $1.3M fraud claimed Buffalo Bills were among teams trying to sign him – newyorkupstate.com
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- 53-man roster projection before roster cuts – Buffalo Rumblings
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- Buffalo Bills roster cuts tracker, 2026 – Buffalo Rumblings
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