Buffalo Bills release exciting midseason WR addition in surprising move

Midseason addition

Hardman was signed to the Bills’ practice squad on Nov. 10 and subsequently elevated to the active roster five days later. He played in one game before being placed on Injured Reserve on Nov. 20 and remained on the shelf until he was activated ahead of Buffalo’s Week 16 matchup with the Cleveland Browns.

In two games for the Bills this season, Hardman recorded two punt returns for a total of four yards and a 61-yard kick return. He played just 4% of the team’s offensive snaps and was targeted just once.

This past week against the Browns , Hardman was on the field for one of two Cleveland punts, with WR Khalil Shakir replacing him on the Bills’ final return opportunity of the game. He also was not on the field for a single offensive snap.

Looking ahead

With Hardman’s release, the Bills now have six wide receivers on their active roster: Shakir, Joshua Palmer, Brandin Cooks, Gabe Davis, Keon Coleman and Tyrell Shavers. In Week 16 vs. Cleveland, Buffalo dressed five WRs, including Shakir, Palmer, Cooks, Shavers and Hardman.

Head Coach Sean McDermott stated earlier this week that the team is still working to determine its most effective group of pass catchers with the playoffs just a few weeks away.

“It’s taken longer than we would’ve liked to this point,” said McDermott while speaking with reporters on Friday. “But I remain confident in the guys in that room. I’m looking forward to them coming out, playing with a chip on their shoulder and getting us into a groove here.”

Shakir is the Bills’ leading WR with 66 receptions for 684 yards and four touchdowns on the season. The next most productive WR on the roster is Coleman, who has tallied 36 receptions for 355 yards and four TDs this year.