Buffalo Bills Terminate Contract of Massive RB

The Buffalo Bills released undrafted rookie running back Jackson Acker this week, ending his brief tenure with the team less than two days after the preseason opener.

The move came as the Bills signed linebacker Otis Reese IV, a familiar face who had been released just days earlier.

Acker, a 6-foot-1, 242-pound back from Wisconsin, signed with Buffalo as an undrafted free agent in May following the 2026 NFL Draft. The Madison native spent five seasons with the Badgers, rotating between running back, fullback, and tight end.

He finished his college career with 94 carries for 415 yards and three touchdowns, plus 37 receptions for 276 yards and three scores. His physical blocking and short-yardage reliability made him a versatile “program guy” in Madison.

The Bills added Acker to compete for the fullback role vacated when Reggie Gilliam signed with the New England Patriots. He vied with Ben VanSumeren, a former linebacker converted to the position.

In Saturday’s 29-14 win over the Carolina Panthers, Acker saw limited action: three offensive snaps and four on special teams. VanSumeren received more work, including eight offensive snaps.

The timing of the release surprised some observers. With two more preseason games remaining, keeping Acker for additional evaluation—particularly on special teams—seemed logical. Instead, Buffalo opted to bring back Reese, who has prior experience in the organization.

The move suggests the Bills may be reassessing whether they need a traditional fullback on the 53-man roster or that VanSumeren has pulled ahead in the competition.

Acker’s three-year undrafted contract carried only $17,000 in guarantees, so the financial hit is minimal. At 242 pounds, he offered a bigger, more traditional lead-blocking presence than many modern running backs.

His Pro Day numbers (4.69-second 40-yard dash, 20 bench-press reps) showed decent athleticism for his size, but he never established himself as a consistent offensive threat in limited college usage.

The Bills now turn their attention to finalizing the roster ahead of the regular-season opener against the Houston Texans.

Acker becomes a free agent and could land on a practice squad or attract interest from teams seeking a physical, versatile back who can contribute on special teams.

For a player who spent his college years doing whatever was asked of him, the next opportunity will depend on finding a scheme that values his size and blocking.

This early cut underscores how quickly training-camp battles can be decided in the NFL, even for a big, willing runner who arrived with some intrigue.