Before the NFL’s deadline for teams to cut their active rosters down to 53 players, the Buffalo Bills made numerous roster moves on Tuesday. While many roster cuts were expected, some surprising transactions puzzled fans. In addition to releasing promising rookie running back Frank Gore Jr., the Bills will move forward without three veteran players who had the potential to play essential roles in the 2024 season.
On Tuesday, Buffalo waived offensive tackle La’El Collins, safety Kareem Jackson, and defensive end Kingsley Jonathan. The trio each entered this season’s training camp with an opportunity to contribute to the Bills winning their fifth straight AFC East title.
Buffalo Bills Release Three Veterans
Among the Buffalo Bills’ shocking roster cuts on Tuesday is the veteran trio of offensive tackle La’El Collins, safety Kareem Jackson, and defensive end Kingsley Jonathan. According to NFL insider Jeremy Fowler:
#Bills releasing safety Kareem Jackson, per source. The 15-year vet spent most of the last five years with Denver signed with Buffalo in July.
Before signing with the Bills this summer, Jackson spent his 15-year career split between the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos. Jackson had a career year in 2022, totaling a career-high 94 tackles. He has started 193 games in his NFL career. Meanwhile, offensive tackle La’El Collins, a former college star with the LSU Tigers, entered the NFL in 2015 as a member of the Dallas Cowboys. He has started 86 of a potential 89 games in his career and entered this preseason competing for a backup role on the offensive line.
Buffalo also parted ways with defensive end Kingsley Jonathan. The former undrafted free agent posted five tackles, one TFL, and two quarterback hurries in 14 games with the Bills from 2022 to 2023. Jonathan entered this offseason eyeing a rotational defensive end spot behind fellow pass rushers Von Miller, A.J. Epenesa, and Greg Rousseau but did not make the opening-day active roster. Jonathan, Jackson, and Collins will now attempt to make another active roster while potentially landing on a practice squad. After Tuesday’s cuts, Buffalo Bills fans headed to Twitter disappointed with the team’s controversial decision to part with three potential critical pieces to the 2024 team.
Interesting. With all of our injuries, I thought he would be a good depth piece
— Randy Bruski (@rand84) August 27, 2024
La’el Collins you are a PATRIOT https://t.co/JZNy1Crx4s pic.twitter.com/bCcCcd24gz
— Adrian (@_YO_ADRIAN) August 27, 2024
Wtf happened to La'el Collins?
— PvS (@vonSocks) August 27, 2024
Casey Toohill over Kingsley Jonathan is the A-1 surprise of final cuts for #Bills.
— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) August 27, 2024
Kingsley Jonathan has reached the point I did with DT Brandin Bryant where I thought he was of the level to be on SOMEONE'S 53 man roster, but just not ours and I wouldn't blame him for not coming back to our practice squad even if I selfishly would prefer to maintain his value… https://t.co/k3fx9JSYpc
— Greg Cover 1 🏈 (@GregTompsett) August 27, 2024
Kingsley Jonathan is a premier Practice Squad player.
He is an #NFL caliber DE whose talent is just below what is needed to consistently make a 53-Man roster.
Here's to hoping the #Bills get him back on the Practice Squad. https://t.co/eqfMr7h2Lz
— Hänsel (@UberHansen) August 27, 2024
Is Kingsley Jonathan a vested veteran who doesnt have to go through waivers? If so, woudln't be surprised if he's back on the team quickly..
— Patrick Moran (Talking Buffalo) (@PatrickMoranTB) August 27, 2024
Damn… Kingsley Jonathan is good enough to be on an NFL 53 man squad. Someone will claim him.
— EJ (@ejtowne) August 27, 2024
Overreaction:
Either Casey Toohill is a 10 sack guy this year or he's used as trade bait. I will not accept that Toohill made the roster over Daequan Hardy or even Kingsley Jonathan, mostly based on what he has shown in camp or the pre-season— Zack Jennings (@ZackJennings78) August 27, 2024
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