Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550/WBEN) - Tuesday marked roster cut-down day across the National Football League, as all 32 teams needed to trim their rosters from the maximum 90 players allowed for training camp and the preseason to 53 by the 4 p.m. ET deadline.
Following the Buffalo Bills' preseason finale on Saturday against the Carolina Panthers, the team started making some roster moves on Sunday with seven players cut from the 91-man roster, in addition to placing two players on season-ending Injured Reserve.
Then on Tuesday, the Bills continued to trim their roster down from 82 players to the 53 players allowed to begin the 2024 season in Orchard Park.
Here is a list of the players cut from the Bills ahead of the 4 p.m. ET deadline:
- QB - Ben DiNucci
- RB - Frank Gore Jr.
- WR - Tyrell Shavers
- WR - Justin Shorter
- WR - Xavier Johnson
- WR - Andy Isabella
- WR - K.J. Hamler
- WR - Deon Cain
- TE - Zach Davidson
- TE - Tre' McKitty
- OL - Will Clapp
- OL - La'el Collins
- OL - Keaton Bills
- OL - Gunner Britton
- OL - Mike Edwards
- OL - Richard Gouraige
- DE - Kingsley Jonathan
- DE - Kameron Cline
- DT - Eli Ankou
- DT - DeShawn Williams
- DT - Branson Deen
- DT - Gable Steveson
- CB - Daequan Hardy
- CB - Keni-H Lovely
- CB - Te'Cory Couch
- S - Kareem Jackson
- S - Kendall Williamson
In addition, offensive lineman Travis Clayton, running back Darrynton Evans and linebacker Matt Milano were all placed on Injured Reserve.
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Evans and Milano were both listed as "designated to return", meaning they will be eligible to come back at some point this season. They will be required to miss a minimum of four games.
After many of the players cut on Tuesday clear waivers on Wednesday, they will then be eligible to be signed to the Bills' 16-man practice squad for the upcoming season. Some of the potential candidates to join the Bills' practice squad, if they clear waivers, include DiNucci, Gore Jr., Shavers, Davidson, Gouraige, Edwards, Ankou, Jonathan, Steveson and Hardy.
Perhaps the most notable player to make the Bills' initial 53-man roster is linebacker Joe Andreessen.
The Lancaster native and University at Buffalo product was signed by the Bills to a rookie tryout contract during rookie minicamp, and eventually earned a contract with the Bills heading into training camp.
During training camp and throughout the preseason, Andreessen continued to impress the coaching staff, making big plays defensively and reading the field incredibly well. In his three games of action this preseason, Andreessen registered 24 tackles, which ended up being the third-most in the NFL.
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If Andreessen does stick around by the time Week 1 comes around on Sunday, Sept. 8 against the Arizona Cardinals, he will join fellow UB Bulls alumni Cam Lewis and Ja'Marcus Ingram to have made the Bills' active 53-man roster.
One of the more notable positions on the Bills roster that many were paying attention to this preseason was at wide receiver, especially given the departures of veterans Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.
Similar to last season, the Bills ended up keeping five wide receivers on the initial 53-man roster. This includes Khalil Shakir, rookie Keon Coleman, and newcomers Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Also as part of Tuesday's roster action, the Bills went out and acquired defensive back/kick returner Brandon Codrington from the New York Jets.
Buffalo's 2024 season officially kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 8 at Highmark Stadium. Be sure to catch all the action throughout the year on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.