The Buffalo Bills have announced the release of five players on Tuesday, trimming the roster down to 81 players. The team has released linebacker Tyrell Adams, offensive lineman Tyler Gauthier, tight end Bug Howard, wide receiver Lance Lenoir and safety Tariq Thompson.
The Bills had until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to trim the roster down to 81 players. All 32 teams around the league must trim their rosters down to 80 players by that time, but the Bills have one roster exemption with running back Christian Wade still a part of the International Pathway Program.
However, Buffalo's roster has been trimmed down to 79 after a number of other roster moves on Tuesday ahead of Saturday's preseason finale against the Green Bay Packers at Highmark Stadium.
A total of four players were sent home on Tuesday as a result of being deemed close contacts of a Bills team trainer that has tested positive for COVID-19. All four players have tested negative for COVID-19 on Tuesday, but they still must serve a five-day re-entry process to return to the facility in Orchard Park because they are unvaccinated.
The list of players sent home from the team facility on Tuesday included wide receivers Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis, as well as defensive tackles Star Lotulelei and Vernon Butler. All four players have also been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, which means they do not count on the active roster until they are re-activated.
All of these players will be unavailable, though, for Saturday's game against the Packers.
With four roster spots opening up before Saturday's game, the Bills ended up claiming a pair of players off waivers on Tuesday in wide receiver Rico Gafford and defensive tackle Joey Ivie.
The final deadline for teams around the NFL to cut their rosters down to the 53-man limit is set for next Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 4 p.m. ET.