Team news: Buffalo Bills

Coach McDermott: Josh Allen is cleared to practice and will play in Thursday night’s game.

Allen was dealing with a left hand injury from the team's Week 1 game against the Cardinals. Being it was his non-throwing hand, Allen probably wasn't in any great dangers to miss Week 2, but it is a short week so it's nice to see Allen has already been cleared for action.

Bills WR Curtis Samuel (turf toe) and backup QB Mitch Trubisky (knee) are off the injury report and good to go for Sunday vs. Arizona.

Related Players: Mack Hollins, Keon Coleman, Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Huge news for Samuel, who could be used in a variety of ways as the offense looks to replace both Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. OC Joe Brady was recently quoted as saying, "There's a reason I wanted to bring him here, because I know how smart he is."

He makes for an interesting Flex option against the Cardinals.

Bills HC Sean McDermott said there is optimism both WR Curtis Samuel and WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling could get back for Week 1, but he did not want to commit all the way to it because all injury situations are still "murky" at the moment.

Related Players: Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, Mack Hollins, KJ Hamler

This WR room doesn't need any more setbacks, so let's hope that they're both ready to go for Week 1 as a rotational piece (Valdes-Scantling) and a do-it-all option (Samuel). In a fully healthy season, there would be a good chance that Samuel could lead the position group in targets.

Curtis Samuel is also considered week-to-week with a turf toe injury.

Owners of Samuel may want to follow this injury closely leading up to the season. With it being called week-to-week, it's fair to wonder what his status will be for Week 1. Given the Bills have reworked their WR room, Samuel certainly has some fantasy potential in this offense. In fact, we list him as the team's WR1 on our fantasy depth charts heading into the season.

Bills WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling suffered a neck sprain during Saturday’s preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

X-rays were negative for MVS, a positive sign after the receiver left the game on a cart. His status for this week is uncertain. MVS is reportedly squarely on the roster bubble. It’s great to hear his injury isn’t that serious but time will tell if he is still on the team come roster cuts.

Beyond Keon Coleman, three other receivers took snaps with Allen: Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Shakir’s usage was the most interesting, as he was an immediate starter with Allen — and in 12 personnel, no less.

The story went on to say as the team’s primary slot receiver, working into two-receiver sets is essential for Shakir to take the next step. The author said that also of note, Shakir was the first receiver the team shut down, perhaps signifying his lofty spot within the offense. He took the first three snaps after Allen left the field, and that was the end of his evening. With Bills WR spots seemingly up for grabs this season, Shakir is looking like he could be a fantasy receiver to target in drafts.

The potential is definitely there for Dalton Kincaid to be one of their top targets in 2024. However, from the looks of things on the first day of camp, those expecting Kincaid to usurp the full-time role from Dawson Knox this year and push the veteran tight end into a backup may have their hopes dashed.

Buscaglia continued, "So while it’s fine to believe Kincaid can better his very strong rookie season output in 2024, it’s important to note his role went back to early season levels after Knox’s return from injured reserve last year."

This definitely isn't *good* news, but we have to remember what the state of the wide receiver room is in Buffalo at the moment. Kincaid can still shine while rotating with Knox, but does he have the top-3 upside we thought he had going into Year 2? Maybe not.

The Buffalo Bills are signing former Chiefs WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling a 1 year deal worth up to $4.5 million, including a $1.125 million signing bonus.

Related Players: Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, Mack Hollins

We can basically look at this as a Gabe Davis replacement, but not exactly an upgrade. MVS will stretch defenses but shouldn't be considered anything more than a late-round best ball dart throw.

Former Lions WR Quintez Cephus, who was reinstated last week after being suspended all of last season for violating the league’s gambling policy, has reached agreement with the Buffalo Bills.

Related Players: Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins

Many expected the Bills to add a couple of pass catchers in the NFL Draft, but beyond Keon Coleman and running back Ray Davis, they stayed mum. Cephus will be allotted a chance to carve out a role on special teams and could operate as the team's WR4/5.

The Buffalo Bills are trading WR Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick (via the Vikings).

The Texans also receive a 2025 fifth-round pick and sixth-round pick.

Related Players: Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins

The Texans wide receiver room gets a huge boost, and if Tank Dell is ready for Week 1, they are in the argument for best three-deep set in the league. C.J. Stroud looks primed to build on his incredible rookie season.

As for the Bills, they have now lost Diggs and Gabe Davis this offseason but have only replaced them with Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins. They'll need to be aggressive in the NFL Draft to get Josh Allen another piece.