The Buffalo Bills have begun the process of cutting their roster to 53 players, cutting seven players from the roster on Sunday. Those players are cornerback Zy Alexander, offensive lineman Rush Reimer, running back Elijah Young, tight end Matt Sokol, defensive back Garnett Hollis Jr., defensive end Nelson Ceaser, and safety Tre Herndon (per Sal Capaccio). The team also waived wideout Grant Dubose with an injury designation.
All eight of the players released are subject to the waiver process, meaning that all 31 other clubs will have the chance to claim them and add them to their own 53-man rosters before the Bills can consider bringing them back to their practice squad. Any player with less than four years of accrued service time is subject to the waiver wire. A full list of Buffalo players who fit that bill, along with a detailed explanation of the waiver process itself, can be found here.
Alexander and Ceaser, in particular, flashed in their opportunities in Buffalo’s 23-19 preseason victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as the former had three tackles and a forced fumble while the latter notched two tackles, a sack, and two quarterback hits. Young also showed good burst, carrying 16 times for 53 yards and adding three receptions for 40 more in the passing game.
The Bills and all other NFL clubs have until Tuesday, August 27, at 4 p.m. EDT to set their initial 53-man rosters. All teams need to be at 53 players and compliant with the NFL salary cap by that time. Given that the Bills had 90 players in camp, this is just the first of many releases that will occur in the next 36 hours or so.
Follow along with us as the Bills prepare their roster for their first game against the Baltimore Ravens on September 7.
