The Buffalo Bills head into a critical matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a roster that’s been reshuffled, patched up, and reworked - the kind of late-season juggling act that can make or break a playoff push. Injuries have hit hard, and Sunday’s inactives list reflects just how much the depth chart has been tested.
Let’s break down who’s out, what it means, and how the Bills are adjusting on the fly.
Curtis Samuel to IR, Roster Moves Galore
The biggest headline before the inactives even dropped was wide receiver Curtis Samuel landing on injured reserve. That move officially takes him off the 53-man roster, so you won’t find him on today’s inactive list - but his absence still looms large. Samuel had become a reliable target in the short and intermediate game, and his versatility will be missed.
Buffalo didn’t sit idle. The team signed wide receiver Gabe Davis to the active roster and activated offensive tackle Tylan Grable off injured reserve.
They also elevated linebacker Baylon Spector and rookie tight end Keleki Latu from the practice squad. All signs pointed to a roster in flux - and the inactives list confirmed just how deep the Bills are digging into their reserves.
Bills Inactives Breakdown
WR Joshua Palmer
Palmer was listed as questionable heading into the weekend, but his status took a turn when he went from limited to a full “did not participate” on Thursday.
That ankle injury will keep him sidelined today. The good news?
Rookie Keon Coleman is active for the first time since the Week 6 loss to Miami, and veteran Brandin Cooks - signed just last Tuesday - is suiting up. The Bills are hoping that infusion of fresh legs can help offset the loss of Palmer and Samuel.
TE Dalton Kincaid
This one stings.
Kincaid had three limited practices this week and carried a questionable tag, but the writing was on the wall when Buffalo promoted Latu from the practice squad. With Kincaid out, the tight end duties fall to Dawson Knox and Jackson Hawes.
Knox brings experience and red zone reliability, but Kincaid’s absence removes one of Josh Allen’s most dynamic weapons in the passing game.
T Dion Dawkins
No surprises here.
Dawkins was ruled out earlier in the week, and the Bills are now looking at a patchwork solution at left tackle. Ryan Van Demark is the most likely starter, but don’t rule out Tylan Grable, who was just activated.
Either way, protecting Allen’s blind side becomes a major storyline in this one.
T Spencer Brown
Brown’s shoulder injury forced him out of last Thursday’s game against Houston, and he won’t go today either.
Van Demark could slide over to right tackle if Grable gets the nod on the left, or Alec Anderson might step in. It’s a fluid situation, but the Bills’ offensive line is clearly in scramble mode.
DT Phidarian Mathis
Mathis is a healthy scratch this week, which is a bit of a surprise considering he’s been working his way back from a shoulder injury.
With no injury designation, this looks like a numbers game. The Bills will roll with Jordan Phillips, T.J.
Sanders, Larry Ogunjobi, DaQuan Jones, and Deone Walker in the interior rotation.
LB Terrel Bernard
Buffalo’s defensive captain is out with an elbow injury suffered in the Houston game.
That’s a big blow - Bernard’s leadership and range are tough to replace. Shaq Thompson will likely step into the starting role, with Dorian Williams and Matt Milano expected to see significant snaps.
Against a Steelers offense that leans heavy on power sets, linebacker depth will be tested all afternoon.
CB Ja’Marcus Ingram
Ingram is a healthy scratch, which makes sense given that Tre’Davious White and Maxwell Hairston are both active and ready to go. Hairston cleared concussion protocol after last week’s game, and with the top of the cornerback depth chart intact, Ingram becomes the odd man out.
Steelers Inactives
Pittsburgh’s inactive list is more straightforward:
- WR Scotty Miller (No. 13)
- QB Will Howard (No. 18, 3rd QB designation)
- **CB Darius Slay (No.
23)**
- **DL Logan Lee (No.
91)**
- **DT Derrick Harmon (No.
99)**
No major surprises on the Steelers’ side, though the absence of Darius Slay takes a veteran presence out of their secondary. Still, the focus will be on how Buffalo’s banged-up roster holds up against a physical, playoff-hungry Steelers squad.
Final Thoughts
This is one of those games where depth, coaching, and adaptability take center stage. The Bills are missing key pieces on both sides of the ball - from their starting tackles to their top tight end and defensive captain. But they’ve also made aggressive roster moves to plug the gaps and keep the engine running.
How well those adjustments hold up against a gritty Steelers team will go a long way in determining whether Buffalo can keep its postseason hopes alive.