Bills Week in Review: August 31

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Bills Weekly Roundup: Roster Takes Shape as Buffalo Barrels Toward Week 1

As summer fades into September, the Bills spent the week putting the finishing touches on their 2026 roster ahead of Sunday's opener at Houston. Between practice squad additions, injury updates, and Josh Allen's continued reign atop the MVP odds board, it was a week defined by roster construction rather than game action — but plenty of storylines emerged that will shape how Buffalo opens its season.

Top Stories

Practice Squad Finalized With Familiar and New Faces

The Bills rounded out their offseason roster-building by putting the finishing touches on their first practice-squad roster of the 2026 NFL season, with 17 players signing contracts on August 31 . The headline addition is wide receiver Greg Dortch, who was released by the Detroit Lions over the weekend before landing in Buffalo. Dortch brings a dynamic element as a receiver after the catch and as a potential punt returner , and the fit makes sense given his history — the addition reunites him with Bills special teams coach Jeff Rodgers and wide receivers coach Drew Terrell from his time in Arizona. Also notable: veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson returned to the practice squad, with the team widely considering him the team's best linebacker last season, playing a key role highlighted by his elite leadership . Former first-round tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. rounds out the newcomers after being cut by Chicago.

Josh Allen Enters Season as Overwhelming MVP Favorite

Oddsmakers are once again betting heavily on Josh Allen to add a second MVP trophy to his mantle. Allen is vying for his second MVP in three seasons and enters as the odds-on favorite , with sportsbooks pricing him well clear of the field. Allen's odds sit at +600, with the reigning 2024 MVP having received 27 first-place votes compared to 22 for Lamar Jackson that year . Behind him, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (+850) and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (+900) round out the top of the board. Analysts point to a new-look weapon as part of the case for Allen: Allen also has a new WR1 in the form of DJ Moore following an offseason trade with Chicago , giving Buffalo's offense a fresh dimension entering the year.

53-Man Roster Set, Defensive Line Takes a Hit

Buffalo's initial 53-man roster came with both good and concerning news on the defensive front. Fifth-round rookie defensive lineman Zane Durant went to Injured Reserve, while wide receiver Tyrell Shavers, who tore his ACL in January's wildcard playoff win, started the season on Reserve/PUP . GM Brandon Beane addressed the Durant situation directly, noting "we're gonna need a little more time to kind of see how he progresses. We were excited where he was heading, and we'll just kind of take that one day, one week at a time" . The injury itself is being described as a neck issue — "kind of a stinger type issue" — that will require time to resolve . The Bills also made a surprising roster-building move, as they traded center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger to Indianapolis for a sixth-round draft pick, along with a seventh-round selection going to the Colts .

Quick Hits

• Buffalo's practice squad also retained cornerback depth, keeping Te'Cory Couch, who played a bunch of snaps at slot corner in the preseason and also had some at safety , showcasing the versatility valued in Jim Leonhard's scheme.
• Running back Frank Gore Jr. returns for a third straight year as the practice squad's RB4, continuing to carry his father's legacy in Orchard Park.
• Veteran lineman Phidarian Mathis will open the year sidelined as well, serving a three-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy .

Roster Watch

The most encouraging injury news of the week centered on Keon Coleman, who has been trending in the right direction after a scary start to camp. Coleman was diagnosed with a sprained foot/toe after catching three passes for 17 yards and a touchdown against Carolina in the preseason opener . After weeks in a walking boot, the third-year receiver was spotted practicing, having not been on the field since the injury , and appears to be trending toward availability for the opener. That's a significant development for a receiver entering what's been described as a make-or-break campaign, especially with DJ Moore now occupying the true WR1 role opposite him.

On the defensive line, while Durant's absence stings, the unit's leadership remains firmly in place. Ed Oliver and Bradley Chubb headline a defensive front that returns healthy and intact heading into Houston, giving Jim Leonhard's unit a proven core to build around even without its promising rookie.

Looking Ahead

All eyes now turn to Sunday's season opener at Houston. With the starting offensive line reportedly intact and no lingering concerns across key positional groups, Buffalo appears to be trending toward full health at the most critical time. Keon Coleman's continued progression will be worth monitoring closely in practice reports this week, as will any further roster shuffling as the Bills look to add practice squad protections or elevate players for game day. If Allen and company can open strong on the road, expect that MVP buzz to only grow louder as the season kicks into gear.