As the NFL’s roster cut deadline looms, the Buffalo Bills have made a series of decisive moves to trim their roster from 90 players to the league-mandated 53 by Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. In a calculated effort to streamline their squad ahead of the regular season, the Bills announced the release of seven players: defensive back Zy Alexander, defensive end Nelson Ceaser, defensive back Garnett Hollis Jr., offensive lineman Rush Reimer, tight end Matt Sokol, running back Elijah Young, and wide receiver Grant Dubose, who was waived/injured.
Of the players cut, only two—Grant Dubose and Matt Sokol—have seen NFL game action. Dubose, who played three games with the Miami Dolphins last season, suffered a head injury against the Houston Texans that ended his 2024 campaign. Recently signed by the Bills, Dubose was sidelined by a shoulder injury during practice last week, which kept him out of the team’s preseason finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His waiver with an injury designation reflects the physical toll of the game and the Bills’ cautious approach to roster management.
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Matt Sokol, a veteran with eight NFL games across stints with the Los Angeles Chargers (2020) and New England Patriots (2022-2023), was also let go. Sokol had been cut by the Bills earlier this month but was re-signed due to the team’s appreciation for his contributions. Bills head coach Sean McDermott praised Sokol, stating, “Appreciate everything Matt did. Really good person, player as well. Again, a reminder of the businesses here, the business side of things.” Despite his release, there remains a possibility that Sokol could return to the Bills’ practice squad, a testament to his value within the organization.
The remaining players—Alexander, Ceaser, Hollis Jr., Reimer, and Young—are yet to make their mark in regular-season NFL games. Their releases reflect the harsh reality of roster cuts, where potential and promise often take a backseat to immediate team needs and long-term strategy.
As the Bills continue to chisel their roster down to 53 players, these moves underscore the cold, calculated nature of the NFL’s business side. With the deadline fast approaching, Buffalo’s front office is focused on building a competitive squad ready to weather the challenges of the upcoming season. Fans will be watching closely to see how the final roster takes shape and whether any of these released players, particularly Sokol, find their way back to the team in a practice squad capacity.