Bills 2026 roster tracker: Moves before deadline to cutdown to initial 53-man list

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Bills began the process of trimming down to their initial 53-man roster before Sunday's deadline by releasing 13 players, including veteran wide receiver and kick returner Mecole Hardman.

The other players released on Saturday were: OLB Cade Denhoff, CB Jordan Dunbar, G Bruno Fina, ILB Theron Gaines, C Sincere Haynesworth, DL Zion Logue, CB D.J. Miller, S Wande Owens, WR Dante Pettis, LB Otis Reese IV, WR Quentin Skinner, TE Shane Zylstra.

Hardman joined Buffalo's practice squad last November in his seventh NFL season and was elevated to the active roster for two regular season games and the divisional playoff loss against the Denver Broncos. He was considered to be a candidate to make the 53-man roster as the primary punt returner for the Bills, but had an inconsistent performance throughout training camp and preseason.

Logue, a third-year defensive tackle, has been a member of Buffalo's practice squad the past two seasons. He has been elevated to the active roster for five games in his career.

The rest of the players released on Saturday were undrafted rookies or free agent signings who were not expected to make the 53-man roster. Some of the players could be signed back to the practice squad next week.

The Bills must cut down to 53 players by 6 p.m. Sunday. They can place two additional players on injured reserve with designations to return after four weeks of the regular season. Additionally, wide receiver Tyrell Shavers is eligible to be placed on the physical unable to perform list and could be added to the active roster later in the season.

Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here .