The Buffalo Bills made 31 moves on Saturday, trimming their roster to the NFL-mandated 53 players. Here’s a closer look at the final moves:
Most significant move: Shortly before the 4 p.m. ET deadline for cuts, the Bills acquired wide receiver/return specialist Kaelin Clay in a trade with the Carolina Panthers. Buffalo sent cornerback Kevon Seymour to Carolina in the trade. The Bills also get a 2019 seventh-round pick from Carolina. Seymour, a sixth-round draft choice in 2016, played in 15 games last season, making three starts. He was hampered by foot and shoulder injuries this preseason and might not have been a fit for first-year coach Sean McDermott’s defense. A sixth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015, Clay has not played in a regular-season game since his rookie season, when he returned both kicks and punts for the Baltimore Ravens. The addition of a return specialist raises questions about whether veteran returner Brandon Tate will remain on the Bills’ roster.
Brandon Reilly falls short: With the Bills' receiver room thinned by the trade of Sammy Watkins, an injury to Jordan Matthews and the retirement of Anquan Boldin, there was some thought undrafted rookie Brandon Reilly could make the 53-man roster. He was cut Saturday, but the Bills would like to sign him to their practice squad if he clears waivers, a source said. Reilly impressed this preseason, catching 11 passes for 139 yards and one touchdown. Instead of Reilly, the Bills kept fourth-year wideout Corey Brown on the initial roster.
Quarterback situation bears watching: The Bills decided to keep three quarterbacks: starter Tyrod Taylor, rookie Nathan Peterman and veteran backup T.J. Yates. As of Thursday, both Taylor and Yates remained in the concussion protocol. The Bills' decision to waive Keith Wenning -- who played extensively in Thursday's preseason finale -- is a sign the Bills believe they will have more than Peterman healthy for Week 1. However, their decision to keep Yates -- who slipped to No. 3 on the depth chart in training camp -- is a sign they might be looking for an insurance policy for Taylor in case he is not ready to play in the opener.
Bills moves:
Waived (24): WR Dezmin Lewis, G Greg Pyke, CB Bradley Sylve, OT Cameron Jefferson, S Shamiel Gary (injury settlement), LB Jacob Lindsey, S Joe Powell, S Adrian McDonald, RB Jordan Johnson, WR Daikiel Shorts, WR Brandon Reilly, CB Marcus Sayles, LB Carl Bradford, DT Marquavius Lewis, DT Nigel Williams, TE Rory Anderson, S B.T. Sanders, DE Ian Seau, QB Keith Wenning, G Zach Voytek, G/C Jordan Mudge, TE Wes Saxton, LB Abner Logan, DE Max Valles
Terminated vested veteran (1): WR Rod Streater (injury settlement/toe)
Injured reserve (1): LB Sam Barrington
Waived/injured (2): WR Jeremy Butler (concussion), OL Michael Ola (ankle)
Suspended (2): OT Seantrel Henderson (five games), WR Walter Powell (four games)