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The Buffalo Bills will conclude their 2026 preseason against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night at Highmark Stadium.
It’s the last gasp for the fringes of the team to make the 53-man roster, either in Buffalo or elsewhere.
This year’s group is setting up to be one of the more difficult puzzles for Bills general manager Brandon Beane to solve, as the bubble is muddled across the roster. As the Bills prepare for cutdown day on Aug. 30, who are truly the bubble players with a lot on the line this week?
Is the Bills’ DL Deone Walker ready for a breakout?
Joe Buscaglia
Here is our annual Bills bubble watch, and how the Bills roster stands with just a handful of days remaining for decisions.
2026 Bills likely roster locks (42)
| Offense/ST | Defense |
|---|---|
|
QB Josh Allen |
DL Ed Oliver |
|
RB James Cook |
DL Deone Walker |
|
RB Ray Davis |
DL T.J. Sanders |
|
RB Ty Johnson |
DL Landon Jackson |
|
WR DJ Moore |
DL Zane Durant |
|
WR Khalil Shakir |
OLB Greg Rousseau |
|
WR Keon Coleman |
OLB Bradley Chubb |
|
WR Joshua Palmer |
OLB Michael Hoecht |
|
WR Skyler Bell |
OLB T.J. Parker |
|
TE Dalton Kincaid |
ILB Terrel Bernard |
|
TE Dawson Knox |
ILB Kaleb Elarms-Orr |
|
TE Jackson Hawes |
ILB Dorian Williams |
|
LT Dion Dawkins |
NCB Dee Alford |
|
LG Alec Anderson |
NCB Jordan Hancock |
|
C Connor McGovern |
CB Christian Benford |
|
RG O’Cyrus Torrence |
CB Maxwell Hairston |
|
RT Spencer Brown |
CB Davison Igbinosun |
|
G Austin Corbett |
S Cole Bishop |
|
K Tyler Bass |
S C.J. Gardner-Johnson |
|
LS Reid Ferguson |
S Jalon Kilgore |
|
Punter TBD |
S Sam Franklin Jr. |
#Puntapalooza update
The competition between rookie Tommy Doman Jr. and Mitch Wishnowsky has gotten tighter in recent days. After racing out to an early lead, Doman struggled with his last two punts against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, and his practice on Tuesday was not up to his early-camp standard. While Doman’s still likely to win the job, it’s not the slam dunk it was earlier in August.
An IR candidate?
OT Jude Bowry
Bowry is a lock if healthy for the 53-man roster, but he suffered an injury in Cleveland and was in a walking boot to begin the practice week. The Bills have 12 players they could consider to make the team along the offensive line, but keeping that many doesn’t match the needs of the rest of the roster. For what it’s worth, head coach Joe Brady said that he didn’t think any of the current injuries change the roster math for them. However, considering stashing someone they want to keep on injured reserve has been a staple of Beane’s tenure, it would be unwise to rule it out — especially with the reserve OL roster crunch.
Should be in (6)
QB Kyle Allen, C Lloyd Cushenberry III, OT Tylan Grable, OLB Javon Solomon, ILB Joe Andreessen, S Damar Hamlin
Allen ended any lingering backup debate in Cleveland. Ever since Connor McGovern went down with an injury, Cushenberry has been glued to the first-team offense and working with Josh Allen. Grable is trending toward being their top reserve swing tackle to begin 2026. Solomon and Andreessen have yet again established themselves as two of their best special teams assets. Hamlin has been their best backup safety so far this summer.
The Bubble: 14 players for 4, maybe 5 spots depending on Bowry
WR Mecole Hardman
Hardman’s best path to the 53-man roster is as the primary punt returner, because his skill set on offense and how little they would use it really doesn’t justify keeping him. It doesn’t help that the Bills’ current wide receiver injuries to Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman both seem to be trending positively toward Week 1. In recent weeks, Hardman has been challenged by backup running back and kickoff returner Ray Davis for the punt returner job, and Davis has come a long way in fielding punts. On top of that, Hardman did not practice Tuesday, which could mean a poorly timed injury.
WR Trent Sherfield
Sherfield shined against the Browns, and all summer he’s been a steady presence and trusted voice in the wide receiver room. The real debate is whether the Bills need to carve out a spot on their 53-man roster for Sherfield, with fears he might head elsewhere. Sherfield is not subject to waivers, so he could be a clear practice squad stash and call-up when an injury calls for it.
TE Keleki Latu
Latu played really well at the beginning of training camp and has faded a bit over the last couple of weeks, but he does enough to warrant at least some consideration for the 53-man roster. His best chance to make it is if they decide not to carry the next position.
FB Ben VanSumeren
This summer, the Bills were attempting to figure out two things at fullback. First, which of their two fullbacks would have the best chance to make the 53-man roster. VanSumeren answered that after the Bills cut undrafted rookie Jackson Acker. Second, since it’s such a small offensive role, they had to decide whether keeping a fullback on the roster was necessary. While VanSumeren has to look good in those reps, being an almost every-phase special teams piece is just as important. If the Bills feel VanSumeren is that, he’s got a solid chance, but it’s still up in the air.
G Ar’maj Reed-Adams
Heading into the summer, Reed-Adams was a bit of an afterthought as a seventh-round pick likely destined for the practice squad. However, his play in preseason games and recently during practices has changed the discussion. With four years of full roster control, the Bills may not want to risk a young player who has shown real potential in an NFL hungry for developmental talent. Reed-Adams is a guard only, which may hurt his chances for the 53-man roster because it could make him more likely to clear waivers. However, he is one of the most interesting names to monitor this weekend.
C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
The 2024 fifth-round pick came into the summer hoping to solidify his hold on the backup center job but seems to have lost it outright to the veteran Cushenberry. For that reason, Van Pran-Granger is one of the true pivot points in their 53-man roster decisions, as he’s shown some good progress this summer despite losing the role. He’s got two years left on his rookie deal, and when Beane does deal away his former picks, it’s more likely to happen after their third camp and beyond.
Van Pran-Granger is a clear candidate for just that, as teams like the Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders, and some others are in real need of depth at center. Other than the trade route, Van Pran-Granger has not practiced the last two days, so perhaps the Bills can stash Van Pran-Granger on IR rather than lose another player at another position.
T/G Chase Lundt
Of the many reserve offensive linemen the Bills spent a draft pick on in the last three years, Lundt has seen his stock worsen as the summer has continued. He’s played almost exclusively at guard recently, and the tape has been inconsistent. Of all their options, he might have the worst chance of the bunch to make the team, but I wouldn’t rule out a practice squad return.
DL DeWayne Carter
First, Phidarian Mathis took reps from Carter, and now it’s Greg Gaines. No matter what, it’s pretty clear that the Bills were looking to strengthen their nose tackle rotation behind starter Deone Walker, which might be bad news for Carter. They have been very complimentary of Carter’s play, though him playing deep into the fourth quarter against the Browns could be meaningful. Carter may be a better fit for a 4-3 scheme. Then again, they could keep Carter and try to get Gaines on the practice squad. Regardless, keep Carter on your trade radar.
DL Greg Gaines
The Bills brought in Gaines less than a week ago, and usual NFL deduction skills point to a late veteran addition like this one usually meaning the team wants to keep them on the 53-man roster. Whether it follows that path remains to be seen, though it’s somewhat notable that after just a few days with the Bills, Gaines was already a part of the same early-game rotation as Carter against the Browns, and the team didn’t use Gaines at all in the second half.
OLB Mike Danna
A post-draft signing, Danna brought some experience to the outside linebacker room. At that point, the Bills had no idea if Michael Hoecht would be available to start the season. With Hoecht looking like a certainty to be healthy enough for Week 1, Danna may be on the outside looking in, as Solomon is the superior special teams player. It will come down to numbers at other positions.
ILB Keonta Jenkins
Jenkins was a standout during training camp and ascended on the depth chart, though his preseason games may have slightly hurt his chances of making the 53-man roster. Without question, he is one of the names that will be among their most difficult calls of the summer. It likely won’t be Jenkins against someone else at his position, but rather either an additional offensive lineman or a depth defender. It could be a 50-50 call.
CB Kani Walker
The undrafted rookie Walker has played himself into 53-man roster contention. He’s physical, he’s long-limbed, and he showed he’s got some real instincts for the position. Walker also played for Bills cornerbacks coach Jay Valai for three years at Oklahoma, which will certainly help his chances. The questionable depth at cornerback may also give the Bills pause about subjecting Walker to waivers, because they may wind up needing Walker in-season rather than someone at a different position. Like Jenkins, this one is truly up in the air.
NCB Toriano Pride Jr.
Pride, a seventh-round pick, has taken reps at both nickel and corner but hasn’t really found a home at either just yet. He’s a speedy developmental type of player, which seems like a pretty good fit for the practice squad if they can get him there. If they keep four boundary cornerbacks, it would come down to him or Walker.
S Geno Stone
Stone has had some pretty bad beats this summer, but the Bills keep turning to him as one of their most trusted backup safeties, and they have said he does a lot more than meets the eye. It seems like he’s more likely than not to make the team at this point, but because Hamlin has been the better of the two backup safeties, you can’t completely rule anything out. Keeping Stone would give them six safeties, which is a lot, especially with Hancock as another option.
Reserve/Suspended – DL Phidarian Mathis
Reserve/PUP – WR Tyrell Shavers
Solid summer, but most likely on the outside looking in
RB Ian Wheeler (No. 27), WR Stephen Gosnell (No. 89), WR Ja’Mori Maclin (No. 84), WR Dante Pettis (No. 87), T/G Nick Broeker (No. 65), OLB Andre Jones Jr. (No. 59), S/NCB Te’Cory Couch (No. 33)
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