The Buffalo Bills have a crowded running back room, and that’s exactly why Frank Gore Jr. may be the odd man out again.
James Cook sits atop the depth chart after a dominant season in which he led the league in rushing yards and handled the bulk of the workload. Behind him, the Bills already have Ty Johnson and Ray Davis, two players who give the offense different looks and have carved out clear reserve roles. That kind of depth makes the final roster math brutal.
Gore entered the picture as an undrafted free agent and gave fans a reason to pay attention during preseason. He flashed enough to create buzz, including one game where he went over 100 rushing yards.
But even with that moment, his path has stayed steep. He has spent the previous two seasons on the practice squad, and that reality still hangs over his chances.
SI’s Alex Braskey laid out the obstacle plainly: “A fan favorite is once again unlikely to crack the 53-man roster out of training camp, as Frank Gore Jr. has a long way to go if he hopes to beat out Johnson or Davis for a reserve role,” Brasky wrote. “It’s highly unlikely Gore Jr. could do enough during camp to force the Bills into keeping four non-fullbacks at the position.”
The family connection only adds to the attention around him. Gore is the son of former Bills running back Frank Gore Sr., who helped the team reach the playoffs during Josh Allen’s early years. That link has given his roster push extra emotional weight with fans.
For now, though, the Bills appear set up to keep their backfield tight. Cook’s production, Johnson’s versatility, and Davis’ contributions - including All-Pro recognition as a kick returner - leave little room for another runner. That’s why Gore looks like a strong practice squad candidate once more, giving Buffalo a chance to keep developing him without using an active roster spot.
The Bills have built a competitive group around Josh Allen and their key offensive pieces, and the running back decisions are part of that larger picture. For Gore, the fight continues.
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Bills Fans May Not Love Who's Emerging As Buffalo's Breakout Pick
Training camp is bringing a fresh look on defense for Buffalo, with Jim Leonhard installing a new scheme that could change how the front seven is used. For a team that spent last season sorting through roles and fit, the shift to a 3-4 setup is creating a new set of questions about which young players can grow into bigger responsibilities.
One name drawing attention is T.J. Sanders, the second-round defensive tackle from last year who had a modest rookie season but now looks like a possible leap candidate in the new system. His ability to line up inside and spend time at defensive end gives him a path to more snaps, and if the scheme unfolds the way some around the league expect, Buffalo may be hearing a lot more about him by 2026. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Defensive Tackle Faces Defining Test In Buffalos New Defense
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The challenge is that Buffalos interior rotation is crowded, and Logue is trying to hold his ground at nose tackle while the Bills evaluate other options in the same lane. The added bulk he has brought into camp suggests the team sees a specific role for him in Leonhards odd-front defense, but the final answer will depend on how he stacks up against the other linemen fighting for those same snaps. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Fans Already Know This Final 53 Cut Will Sting
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That matters even more with Jim Leonhard installing a new base 3-4 defense, because scheme changes tend to reshape the back end of the roster as much as the top. There will be plenty of attention on the usual training camp standouts, and rookie receiver Skyler Bell is one name drawing early buzz, but the real sting for Buffalo could come from how many familiar faces end up squeezed out once the competition gets serious. [Read more 🡒]