The Buffalo Bills are releasing veteran wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. and veteran punter Mitch Wishnowsky as the team trims its roster to 53 players ahead of the NFL deadline.
As roster management reaches its final phase ahead of the NFL deadline at 6 p.m. ET Sunday, the Buffalo Bills have informed two vested veterans of their impending releases.
Tommy Doman Jr. Wins Buffalo Punting Job Over Mitch Wishnowsky
The punting competition in Buffalo has officially concluded with a rookie winning the starting role. Seventh-round draft pick Tommy Doman Jr. secured the job, as a source confirmed to ESPN, pushing veteran Mitch Wishnowsky off the initial 53-man roster.
Wishnowsky joined the Bills last September after the team placed Cameron Johnston on injured reserve. Before his stint in Buffalo, Wishnowsky spent six seasons as the punter for the San Francisco 49ers, though San Francisco did not re-sign him in 2025 after he finished the previous season on injured reserve. Last season, Wishnowsky averaged 45.3 yards per punt.
Doman established his credentials during his collegiate career at Michigan from 2022 to 2024 before playing his lone Florida season in 2025, where he averaged 44.0 yards per boot. During the recent preseason schedule, Doman separated himself from Wishnowsky by posting a 48.1-yard average compared to Wishnowsky’s 42.3-yard mark, prompting the team to move forward with the rookie.
Mecole Hardman Jr. Hit by Roster Crunch Amid Wide Receiver Inconsistency
Mecole Hardman Jr. finds himself looking for a new home once again. The veteran wide receiver and return specialist originally signed to the Bills’ practice squad in November last season before inking a reserve/futures deal in January. Hardman appeared in only three regular-season games and one playoff contest for Buffalo in 2025.
Hardman’s clearest path to an active roster spot rested on his ability to contribute as a punt returner. However, Buffalo expanded its look at running back Ray Davis, giving him increased opportunities to field punts alongside his kick-return duties. Although Davis muffed a punt during the third preseason game, the coaching staff ultimately chose to allocate the roster spot elsewhere, according to details provided to ESPN.
The wide receiver room in Buffalo has undergone notable shifts since Hardman arrived. The team traded for D.J. Moore and used a fourth-round draft pick on UConn’s Skyler Bell, adding fresh competition to the offensive core.
Practice Squad Possibilities and Free Agency Status
Because Hardman is a vested veteran who does not have to clear waivers, his departure from the active roster opens the door for potential organizational maneuvers. The Bills could circle back to bring Hardman Jr. back via a practice squad invitation, a role that suits a seasoned player at this stage of his career.
Hardman Jr. brings championship pedigree to any locker room as a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, famously catching a walk-off touchdown in overtime to seal Super Bowl LVIII. Whether Buffalo decides to stash him on the practice squad or if another franchise calls upon the free-agent pass catcher remains to be seen as the league-wide roster deadline approaches.
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