When the Buffalo Bills officially announced their initial practice squad ahead of the 2026 NFL season, one name stood out like a sore thumb: Greg Dortch.
The Bills have had issues at the punt returner position this summer and that bled into the preseason. While Ray Davis is an All-Pro kickoff returner, the punt duties he held led to a muff during a game and that's a concern.
That role has suited Dortch well in his career, and not only that, the Bills only kept five wide receivers on their 53-man roster instead of six. There is a clear spot for Dortch in Buffalo, but there appears to have been one with the Detroit Lions too.
If the reactions from Lions fans are any sign, the Bills are getting a decent player. People in Detroit were unhappy about
Dortch heading to Buffalo.
With that, here is Bills Wire's roundup of reactions from Lions fans on losing Dortch:
Lions fans react to losing WR Greg Dortch to Bills
NFL insider Tom Pelissero reports the Lions will release veteran wide receiver and return specialist Greg Dortch. The word "surprise" gets used too much on this day each year, but it feels safe to label this move as one. pic.twitter.com/iJNhUoEi33
β MLive (@MLive) August 30, 2026
Lions fans react to losing WR Greg Dortch to Bills
Greg Dortch going to the #Bills is just so weird and whack.
β Natalie Sparbeck (@NatSparbeck) September 1, 2026
Like, did something happen off the field? Odd.
Lions fans react to losing WR Greg Dortch to Bills
Lions fans react to losing WR Greg Dortch to Bills
Lions fans react to losing WR Greg Dortch to Bills
Fact or Fiction
β DetroitSportsPodcast (@DetroitPodcast) September 1, 2026
Losing WR Greg Dortch HURTS Detroit Lions pic.twitter.com/2lLoZGlg1o
Lions fans react to losing WR Greg Dortch to Bills
Sounds like the Lions did not want to let Greg Dortch go ππ pic.twitter.com/PUIjeCpZrD
β WGR Patron (@WGR550_Patron) September 1, 2026
Lions fans react to losing WR Greg Dortch to Bills
Did The Detroit Lions Make A BAD Decision Releasing WR Greg Dortch? π€ https://t.co/85FTDrNR6G pic.twitter.com/oIl0xOpvq9
β Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) August 31, 2026
Lions fans react to losing WR Greg Dortch to Bills
Donβt understand this one
β πΈ (@JudeBellendham) August 30, 2026
Lions fans react to losing WR Greg Dortch to Bills
What! Why?
β Boxing Heads Podcast (@TheBoxingHeadsP) August 30, 2026
Lions fans react to losing WR Greg Dortch to Bills
Lions fans react to losing WR Greg Dortch to Bills
This team is so damn stupid
β DanTheGambleCampbell (@logantswift) August 30, 2026
Lions fans react to losing WR Greg Dortch to Bills
this is actually really sad news what the fuck
β jayπ« (@jac6b) August 30, 2026
Lions fans react to losing WR Greg Dortch to Bills
That has to a be a roster maneuver while they put a player on IR.
β Kevin Krzesowik (@kdog048) August 30, 2026
Lions fans react to losing WR Greg Dortch to Bills
β fattylumpkins (@w00kalar) August 30, 2026
Lions fans react to losing WR Greg Dortch to Bills
Iβm done.
β jacques (@PRAYF0RPARIS) August 30, 2026
Lions fans react to losing WR Greg Dortch to Bills
Very solid. Everybody I wanted, except for Dortch.
β Ben - OnePrideπ¦ (@DETLions1pride) August 31, 2026
Still curious what happened there, and who is returning Kicks / Punts#Lions https://t.co/JdkHZn1mtH
Lions fans react to losing WR Greg Dortch to Bills
The Detroit Lions cutting Greg Dortch was legitimately shocking β but this may not actually be the end of the story.
β Mike Payton (@AtoZ_Payton) August 30, 2026
There's some roster gymnastics Detroit could be trying to pull off here, and suddenly this move makes a lot more sense.https://t.co/dgE3fB2zMA
Lions fans react to losing WR Greg Dortch to Bills
Bizarre https://t.co/FCq63MWSxS
β πππππππ πππ πππππ (@Section344Lions) August 31, 2026
Lions fans react to losing WR Greg Dortch to Bills
At no point over the last few weeks did I consider Greg Dortch or Nick Whiteside to still be on the roster bubble.
β Al Karsten (@FootballGuy_Al) August 30, 2026
Thereβs a lot of moving and shaking to be done, but it makes you wonder how many new players will be in Allen Park on the 53-man roster this week, along with theβ¦
Lions fans react to losing WR Greg Dortch to Bills
Surprising that Dortch and Whiteside are getting released...
β ΚΙͺα΄Ι΄ α΄ΙͺΙ΄Ι’ (@LionsRoyalty) August 30, 2026
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Reactions: Lions fans appear unhappy Bills signed WR Greg Dortch to practice squad
