The Buffalo Bills head into their Week 16 showdown against the Cleveland Browns with a few notable absences, officially ruling out three players and announcing a full list of seven inactives for today’s game. While some of these moves were expected, others raise a few eyebrows as the Bills continue to tinker with their lineup heading into a critical late-season matchup.
Chase Lundt to IR
Let’s start with rookie offensive tackle Chase Lundt. He’s been a familiar name on the inactive list all season, often a healthy scratch as he develops behind the scenes.
But this week, the story changes-Lundt was placed on injured reserve Friday, removing him from the 53-man roster entirely. That move cleared a roster spot, but it also means Buffalo doesn’t need to list him as inactive anymore.
To fill out the roster, the Bills promoted two players from the practice squad and activated another from IR, which still left them needing to declare seven game-day inactives. Now we’ve got the full list, and there are some interesting calls here.
WR Keon Coleman - Healthy Scratch
With Mecole Hardman Jr. activated off injured reserve, it was clear one of the wideouts would be left out. That player is rookie Keon Coleman.
While it’s not disciplinary-this was a coaching decision-Coleman’s rookie campaign hasn’t lived up to expectations. He’s struggled to carve out a role in a crowded receiver room, and with Hardman back in the fold, the coaching staff opted to sit Coleman.
It’s a tough pill for the rookie, but not unexpected given the circumstances.
WR Gabe Davis - Healthy Scratch (Again)
For the second week in a row, veteran Gabe Davis finds himself on the outside looking in. That’s a significant call.
Davis has been a key part of Buffalo’s offense in recent years, but the Bills are rolling with Khalil Shakir, Joshua Palmer, Brandin Cooks, Tyrell Shavers, and Mecole Hardman Jr. at wide receiver today. Whether this is about performance, fit, or game plan, it’s clear the staff is looking for something different right now.
T Tylan Grable - Healthy Scratch
Grable, in his second season, returned from IR a few weeks ago after missing time due to a summer concussion. But he hasn’t cracked the active lineup since.
With Alec Anderson and Ryan Van Demark locking down the swing tackle duties, Grable remains on the shelf for now. It’s a depth decision, and the Bills are clearly comfortable with the linemen ahead of him.
DT Jordan Phillips - Out (Ankle)
Jordan Phillips is out with an ankle injury suffered last week. He’s been a vocal leader and emotional spark plug for this defense, so his absence will be felt beyond just the stat sheet.
The Bills will still dress four defensive tackles, with Phidarian Mathis stepping in alongside T.J. Sanders, Deone Walker, and DaQuan Jones.
It’s a solid group, but Phillips brings a certain edge that won’t be easy to replicate.
DT Larry Ogunjobi - Healthy Scratch
Now this one is a bit of a head-turner. Ogunjobi, one of Buffalo’s marquee defensive line additions this offseason, is a healthy scratch.
That’s a bold move, especially with Phillips already out. The decision does open the door for rookie T.J.
Sanders to get more reps at his natural position inside, rather than being shifted to the edge. Still, sitting a high-profile free-agent signing at this point in the season is a statement.
DB Darnell Savage - Healthy Scratch
With Cam Lewis cleared to play after being questionable with a hamstring issue, the Bills opted to make Darnell Savage inactive once again. It’s a numbers game in the secondary, and Lewis’s availability meant Savage was the odd man out. He’s been in and out of the lineup this year, and today, he’s on the sideline.
K Matt Prater - Out (Quad)
This one was expected. Prater injured his quad in last week’s 35-31 win over the Patriots, and the team already elevated Michael Badgley from the practice squad to handle kicking duties. Badgley gets the nod today while Prater continues to recover.
Final Thoughts
The Bills are making some calculated moves here. Whether it’s giving younger players more reps, managing injuries, or shifting the game plan, today’s inactive list reflects a team trying to find the right mix down the stretch. With the Browns on deck in a pivotal AFC matchup, every personnel decision carries weight-and Buffalo’s choices today suggest they’re not afraid to shake things up to get the result they need.