It was originally reported ahead of the 4 p.m. ET league-wide deadline for teams to trim their rosters to 53 players that the Buffalo Bills released a total of nine players from the roster.
A surprising player that was confirmed to be released later on Tuesday by the Bills was tight end Jacob Hollister. NFL Network reported Tom Pelissero had the original report.
Hollister was signed by the Bills earlier this offseason in free agency after spending two seasons in Seattle with the Seahawks. It was expected that Hollister would compete for the second tight end spot on the depth chart behind third-year tight end Dawson Knox.
In two preseason games played this season, the 27-year-old was able to reel in four catches for 53 yards.
However, as WGR's own Sal Capaccio points out, this could be a move made by the Bills to allow the team to keep a player on the roster and then place that player on Injured Reserve. Once that transaction is complete, that would allow the team to bring Hollister back to the 53-man roster.
One other point to bring up has been the emergence of second-year player Reggie Gilliam, who has been able to show off his flexibility as both a tight end and fullback. If the Bills feel Gilliam is best-served as a tight end on the roster, he may take over the role as the second tight end on the depth chart.
Third-year tight end Tommy Sweeney is also in the picture for the Bills this season after missing all of the 2020 campaign due to injury, as well as his diagnosis of myocarditis as a result of COVID-19.
Hollister was a former college teammate of Bills quarterback Josh Allen at the University of Wyoming. The two hooked up for seven touchdowns in the 2016 season.