Curtis

Samuel

The Bills would save $9.6 million in cap space with a release of the veteran tight end, and Jaxson Hawes played well enough in his rookie season to believe he could step into a featured role as the No. 1 blocking tight end. Given how deep the Bills are in cap hell — they project to be over the cap by $7 million before the offseason starts — lopping off Knox definitely is in play at this point. Buscaglia also projects Curtis Samuel ($6.05 million in cap savings) and Ty Johnson ($2.45 million) as potential candidates for release as the Bills look to get cap compliant.

Samuel was activated off the IR in time for this game, with Gabe Davis and Tyrell Shavers suffering season-ending ACL injuries. As has become the trend, Samuel was not heavily involved in this game and ended the regular season with seven catches on nine targets for 81 yards and a touchdown. It ends another disappointing season for Samuel, who signed a three-year, $24 million contract two years ago. He has one more year on that contract, but the Bills could release him this offseason and take on $3.4 million in dead cap. That seems to be the likely endpoint of this marriage.

Oliver and WR Curtis Samuel (elbow/neck) are both being activated today. Samuel cannot reasonably be viewed as a reliable contributor, but the Bills’ wide receiver room is thin. Oliver’s return should have a larger impact on the game. Despite missing much of the season, he ties for third on the team with three sacks. The Bills are also elevating WR Mecole Hardman and RB Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad.

Oliver and Curtis Samuel, also questionable, are on injured reserve. The Bills have to activate them from injured reserve tomorrow if they are going to play, so we will get more information on them soon. Oliver is the bigger name between the two, but even Samuel could be an important piece in the offense. Tyrell Shavers and Gabe Davis suffered season-ending injuries last week and Josh Palmer was placed on IR ahead of the playoffs. Oliver has only appeared in three games this year. He has a sack in each game.

The Bills will see if they can get him healthy enough to play against the Broncos in the divisional round. The 21-day window will open for Oliver when Buffalo next practices. McDermott gave the same update for Curtis Samuel, who somehow feels desperately needed with Gabe Davis lost to a torn ACL.

We’re coming home again. Samuel has been active for just six games this year and has not crossed 30 yards or three targets. This signing will go down as a mini-debacle for Bills GM Brandon Beane. Brandin Cooks will take his place in the Bills wideout room, and Gabe Davis was signed to the active roster.

Head coach Sean McDermott also ruled out RT Spencer Brown (shoulder), LB Terrel Bernard (elbow), and WR Curtis Samuel (elbow/knee), for Sunday’s contest. With both bookend tackles sidelined, the Bills will likely roll with Ryan Van Demark at left tackle and Chase Lundt at right tackle, which could make life tough for Josh Allen against a defense that has the fourth-highest blitz rate and fifth-highest sack total (34) this season.

Samuel missed last week’s game with the pair of injuries. A DNP on Wednesday suggests he will be sidelined for at least one more contest. With Dalton Kincaid also on the wrong side of questionable to start the week, Khalil Shakir is set to dominate targets in Buffalo once again.

This will be Coleman’s fourth occasion missing game time due to disciplinary reasons in less than two years in the NFL. Kincaid (hamstring) and Samuel (elbow/neck) are both out due to injury. With Coleman out last week, the Bills relied on a wide receiver rotation including Khalil Shakir, Tyrell Shavers, Gabe Davis, Mecole Hardman, Joshua Palmer and Samuel. Hardman has since been placed on injured reserve. A heavy rotation is still expected against the Texans’ elite pass defense.

Mecole Hardman will also be sidelined for this game. Josh Palmer should be locked in as the Bills’ No. 2 receiver for Week 12. Gabe Davis and Tyrell Shavers will also be in the mix for routes.