Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Bills make surprising decision ahead of Week 11 game

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Nov 16, 2025 10:53 AM ET

A somewhat shocking decision emerged from Buffalo on Sunday morning, ahead of the Buffalo Bills' Week 11 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

As first reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Buffalo wide receiver Keon Coleman is expected to be a healthy scratch for Sunday's contest. Schultz reported that it has not been indicated as a performance-based decision, leaving the reasoning a bit unclear.

How did we get to Keon Coleman's benching?

Coleman, a second-year receiver out of Florida State, has been a bit underwhelming so far in his career. He tallied just 29 catches in his rookie season. He has already topped that this season with 32 catches in nine games, but has just 330 yards to go with it.

As noted above, the decision from Bills head coach Sean McDermott to bench Coleman is a bit head-scratching if it is not a performance-based decision.

Sources: #Bills WR Keon Coleman will not play today vs Tampa Bay in what was described to me as a coach’s decision (as @Cover1 also said).

I’m told it’s not performance-based — Coleman actually had a strong week of practice — but the team wants to see more from him in other… pic.twitter.com/AuwIUF8Jho
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 16, 2025

Who will replace Keon Coleman?

According to Schultz, it'll be two veteran receivers, Gabe Davis and Mecole Hardman, who will be activated to take the place of Coleman. Davis, a former Buffalo receiver, will see his first game action of the year. The same will be true for Hardman, as he has not recorded a stat since Week 13 of last season.

It'll be a quick turnaround for Buffalo this week, as it'll play two games in five days starting Sunday. It'll head on the road to visit the Houston Texans on Thursday night. Coleman may get one Sunday off before returning to action on a short week with new energy and a new focus on keeping himself in the starting lineup.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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