The Buffalo Bills are turning back to a familiar face to help their spate of injuries at wide receiver.
The team announced on Tuesday that they signed wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson to the practice squad, the third time this season he has been added to the team. The Bills lost two key wide receivers in Sunday’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, leaving them shorthanded for the upcoming divisional-round matchup against the Denver Broncos.
Kristian Wilkerson Could Play Significant Role
The Bills announced on Monday that veteran receiver Gabe Davis suffered a torn ACL, then got more bad news on Tuesday when it was confirmed that versatile receiver Tyrell Shavers also tore his ACL. Shavers plays important roles both on the offense and special teams, and his absence could lead the Bills to push Wilkerson into a playing role.
Wilkerson vied for a role during training camp, but failed to make the final roster and landed on the practice squad. He was released in November as the Bills made room on the practice squad for defensive reinforcement, but re-signed the following week.
Wilkerson has been in the NFL since 2020 but has never played a significant role, making just six receptions for 60 yards with three touchdowns.
Davis joined the active roster midseason after finishing rehab for a knee injury that cut short his 2024 season with the Jaguars. He had a strong connection with quarterback Josh Allen and is a proven playoff performer, tying an NFL record with four touchdown catches against the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round in 2021.
Shavers was a former practice squad receiver who earned a spot on the active roster at the end of training camp. He also played an important role on special teams units and was a deep threat for the offense.
Bills Could Have More Help at Wide Receiver
The Bills could have some other options to help at wide receiver after losing Davis and Shavers. They will likely elevate veteran Mecole Hardman from their practice squad, and could see the versatile Curtis Samuel return.
As Jonah Bronstein of WIVB-Buffalo noted, Samuel has proven to be an effective playoff receiver for the Bills.
“Samuel was placed on IR in November with neck and elbow injuries, and was bothered by a hamstring injury during training camp,” Bronstein wrote. “Samuel was productive for the Bills in last season’s playoffs with six receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns. In his ninth NFL season, Samuel had seven receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown during the regular season.”
The team did not say whether Samuel would be able to play this week, but both he and defensive tackle Ed Oliver were able to practice after long stints on injured reserve.
The Bills could also hand a bigger role to second-year receiver Keon Coleman, who had been benched earlier this year for disciplinary issues and was a healthy scratch for four games. Tight end Dalton Kincaid, who has missed time due to injury, is also back to full health and could play a larger role againt the Broncos.
Bills Bring Back Veteran WR for Third Time This Season