Tag: Oliver

Bills star DT Ed Oliver, WR Curtis Samuel activated to play vs. Broncos

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Buffalo Bills activated star defensive tackle Ed Oliver and receiver Curtis Samuel from injured reserve on Friday.

The moves come one day before the sixth-seeded Bills visit the top-seeded Denver Broncos in the AFC divisional round.

Oliver and Samuel had their practice windows opened early this week. Both players are listed as questionable on the Buffalo injury report. Samuel (elbow) practiced in full all week while Oliver (bicep) was limited all three days.

Oliver has played in just three games this season, the last coming against the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 26. He underwent biceps surgery but later injured his knee during his rehab and underwent another procedure.

Oliver, 28, has 30 sacks in 95 career games (86 starts) in seven seasons with Buffalo.

Samuel last appeared in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 26. He had just seven catches for 81 yards and a touchdown in six games this season, his second with Buffalo.

Samuel, 29, has 355 catches for 3,717 yards and 24 scores in nine NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers (2017-20), Washington Commanders (2021-23) and Bills.

Buffalo also elevated receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. and running back Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad on Friday.

The Bills needed receiver help after Tyrell Shavers and Gabe Davis both sustained ACL tears during last weekend’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Buffalo running back Ty Johnson (ankle) also is ailing and is listed as questionable.

–Field Level Media

Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) smiles after making a tackle during the second half of the Buffalo Bills wild card game against the Denver Broncos at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Jan. 12, 2025.

Bills defenders Ed Oliver, Matt Milano out vs. Saints

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver and linebacker Matt Milano will not play Sunday against the visiting New Orleans Saints, head coach Sean McDermott said Friday.

Oliver has an ankle injury and Milano will miss the game with a pectoral issue.

McDermott said right tackle Spencer Brown (calf) and defensive end AJ Epenesa (pectoral) are questionable. Both were expected to be limited participants in practice on Friday.

Oliver hasn’t played since Week 1 and Milano has been out since leaving the Week 2 game against the New York Jets.

The Bills (3-0) have scored more than 30 points in each game this season, and the Saints (0-3) have put only 47 points on the board in their combined three losses.

–Field Level Media

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver and defensive tackle Zion Logue dance to the music for a few moments while waiting for their turn to run a drill during the Return of the Blue & Red practice at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Aug.1, 2025.

Injured Bills DT Ed Oliver, LB Matt Milano out against Dolphins

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano and defensive tackle Ed Oliver will not play Thursday night against the Miami Dolphins, head coach Sean McDermott confirmed Thursday.

Milano is dealing with a pectoral injury, while Oliver is nursing an ankle injury. Neither took part in practice Monday or Tuesday ahead of the home game.

Speaking on WGR550 on Wednesday, McDermott also said it isn’t clear when Milano will be able to return.

“What I’ve been told is it’s too early until they really see how this thing settles in, if you will, or plays itself out in terms of the days following the injury,” McDermott said. “I think that’ll have a direct impact on how long he’s out.”

Defensive backs Taron Johnson (quad) and Cam Lewis (shoulder), as well as linebacker Shaq Thompson (hamstring/hand), all are questionable for the game. They have been limited in practice this week.

Oliver, 27, is in his eighth season since the Bills selected him with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. In 93 career games (84 starts), he has 237 tackles (52 for loss), 73 QB hits, 28 sacks, nine forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Milano, 31, played in just nine games over the past two seasons, suffering a broken leg in 2023 and torn biceps in 2024.

A fifth-round draft pick by Buffalo in 2017, he has 96 career appearances (80 starts), 513 tackles (60 for loss), 42 QB hits, 10 interceptions, 39 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and 11 fumble recoveries.

The Bills are off to a 2-0 start to the season. The Dolphins are 0-2.

–Field Level Media

Nov 10, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Josh Oliver (84) before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

Vikings TE Josh Oliver signs 3-year extension

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Minnesota Vikings tight end Josh Oliver signed a three-year contract extension that spans through the 2028 season.

Financial terms were not disclosed by the team, however ESPN reported — citing Athletes First — that the deal is worth $23.25 million with a maximum value of $27.5 million. It also includes $11.9 million in new guarantees and $19.9 million in total guarantees.

Oliver, who is second on the team’s tight end pecking order behind Pro Bowler T.J. Hockenson, is heading into the final season of a three-year, $21 million contract.

Oliver, 28, recorded 22 catches for the second straight year in 2024 and finished with a career-best three touchdowns.

He has 70 receptions for 701 yards and seven touchdowns in 67 career games (37 starts) with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens and Vikings.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) runs onto the field before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

WR Amari Cooper expected to make Bills debut Sunday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Buffalo Bills expect newly acquired wide receiver Amari Cooper to make his debut for the team Sunday against the visiting Tennessee Titans.

Cooper, 30, came to the Bills via trade from the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday. Originally, the team was undecided on whether he would play against the Titans, but coach Sean McDermott sounded more certain of a plan Friday.

“We’ll see. I think so,” McDermott said when asked if Cooper would play this week for the Bills (4-2).

McDermott said he will confer with the coaching staff before making a final decision.

Coming off a career-high 1,250 receiving yards last year for Cleveland, Cooper got off to a slow start this season. In six games, he had 24 receptions for 250 yards and two touchdowns. His per-catch average of 10.4 yards is on pace for a career low and 7 yards under last year’s career-best average.

Now with his fourth NFL franchise, Cooper gets an upgrade at quarterback from Deshaun Watson to Josh Allen, who has thrown 156 passes this year without an interception.

“As far as playing with Josh, I’ve always been (a) fan of his game,” Cooper said this week. “I’m sure to see it up close and personal and play alongside him. I’m sure it’s going to be great. I’m just excited to turn a new chapter and to be able to contribute.”

The Bills haven’t had a go-to receiver this season after trading Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans in the offseason.

Buffalo also is expected to have defensive tackle Ed Oliver (hamstring) on the field. Oliver, 26, was inactive for each of the past two games. He has a sack among his five tackles in four games this season.

“I expect him at this point to play in the game,” McDermott said Friday of Oliver.

Running back James Cook (toe) also is expected to play, while running back Ray Davis is now limited after coming away with a calf injury in practice Thursday.

The Bills will stick with struggling kicker Tyler Bass after multiple kickers were brought in for a tryout Wednesday before Lucas Havrisik was signed to the practice squad. Bass, 27, has converted nine of 12 field goals and 18 of 20 extra points this season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (10) runs with the ball after making a catch for a touchdown against Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell (21) during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Bills WR Khalil Shakir, DT Ed Oliver out vs. Texans

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir, defensive tackles Ed Oliver and Austin Johnson and safety Taylor Rapp have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the host Houston Texans, Buffalo coach Sean McDermott announced Friday.

Shakir (ankle), Johnson (oblique) and Rapp (concussion protocol) did not practice all week after sustaining their respective injuries in the Bills’ 35-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday. Oliver, however, sustained a hamstring injury during practice on Thursday.

Shakir leads the Bills in catches (18), receiving yards (230) and receiving touchdowns (two). Tight end Dalton Kincaid has 13 catches for 132 yards and wideout Keon Coleman has eight and 126, respectively.

Rookie Cole Bishop is expected to be elevated into a starting role opposite safety Damar Hamlin with Rapp sidelined. Bishop is a second-round pick out of Utah.

–Field Level Media

Dec 10, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Isaiah Oliver (26) during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

49ers release CB Isaiah Oliver, save $2.4M

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The San Francisco 49ers announced Friday that they released veteran cornerback Isaiah Oliver.

Oliver, 27, was released after one season of the two-year, $6.75 million deal he signed last March. According to Spotrac, the 49ers cleared $2.4 million of cap space with the move.

San Francisco began Friday just $4.625 million under the salary cap.

Oliver played in 17 regular-season games (six starts) for the 49ers and had 67 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery. He didn’t see any playing time on defense during San Francisco’s three postseason games with all 35 snaps coming on special teams.

Oliver was a second-round draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2018 and spent five seasons with the franchise. He started 38 of 62 games played for Atlanta before leaving as a free agent following the 2022 season.

Overall, Oliver has 270 tackles, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and two sacks in 79 games (44 starts).

–Field Level Media

Oct 16, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons safety Jaylinn Hawkins (32) reacts after an interception against the San Francisco 49ers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Arthur Smith ‘confident’ in Falcons’ secondary despite injuries

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Atlanta Falcons (3-3) hit the road to take on the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals (3-3) Sunday with injury concerns in the secondary.

Starting cornerbacks A.J. Terrell (thigh) and Casey Hayward (shoulder) left the 28-14 win over San Francisco in the second half and did not return. Head coach Arthur Smith didn’t think Terrell’s injury was too serious, but he was less optimistic about Hayward’s status moving forward.

“The one to be concerned about is Casey (Hayward),” Smith said. “He’s the one we’re more worried about long-term.”

Terrell has been a standout for an opportunistic Falcons’ secondary that ranks tied for seventh in the NFL in interceptions (six) — and is fresh off one of its best performances.

In the absence of Terrell and Hayward, second-year pro Darren Hall (two pass breakups) stepped in and played well. So did Isaiah Oliver, who recorded three tackles and an interception after missing the team’s first five games.

“We are confident in our guys,” Smith said. “Guys stepped up and played really well. Darren did. He made a huge play on that ball to (Brandon) Aiyuk. He showed good patience and body control making that play.”

Starting safeties Richie Grant (41) and Jaylinn Hawkins (31) rank third and fourth on the team in tackles and continue to improve. Hawkins recorded his first interception of the year against the 49ers and also scored a touchdown after Terrell fumbled near the goal line following a fumble recovery.

It’s still unclear how the injuries to Terrell and Hayward will impact this week’s game against the Bengals. No matter who suits up, the Falcons will be challenged by a Cincinnati offense that features quarterback Joe Burrow and a dynamic trio of wideouts in Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.

“We’ve got a challenge with Cincinnati and their personnel, especially with as much as they like to play in 11 personnel,” Smith said. “They have really good wideouts. And a really good quarterback.”

–After not playing against Tampa Bay, tight end Kyle Pitts caught three passes for 19 yards and his first touchdown of the season in the win over San Francisco. Pitts’ reputation as a weapon in the passing attack is a big reason why opposing defenses have to account for him it all times. But his emergence as a blocker has fueled the Falcons’ success in the run game.

“The affect he has on every play, you have to account for him,” Smith said. “Last year, we didn’t have a ton of runs behind him. We are running behind him a lot now. He draws a lot of attention. And he has an impact on every play he’s out there. He’s a very smart player.”

–Punt/kick returner Avery Williams has shone on special teams. He’s a big reason why the Falcons lead the league in punt return average (17.8 yards per return) and rank fourth in kick return average (24.8 yards per return).

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Dontrell Hilliard (40) scores a touchdown during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports

Titans rule out RB Dontrell Hilliard, CB Kristian Fulton

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tennessee Titans running back Dontrell Hilliard and cornerback Kristian Fulton will miss Monday night’s game at Buffalo with hamstring injuries, coach Mike Vrabel said Saturday.

The Bills also made additions to their injury list on Saturday, listing defensive tackle Ed Oliver as out and wide receiver Gabe Davis as questionable. Both have ankle injuries.

Hilliard, 27, caught three passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns in the Titans’ season-opening 21-20 loss against the New York Giants. He rushed twice for 8 yards.

Fulton, 24, recorded six tackles and forced a fumble against the Giants.

Oliver, 24, played just 17 snaps in the Bills’ season-opening win against the Los Angeles Rams. He recorded two tackles and one quarterback hit.

Davis, 23, made four catches for 88 yards and scored a touchdown in the Bills’ 31-10 victory in Week 1.

Titans backup offensive lineman Jamarco Jones (elbow) was also ruled out for the primetime game.

–Field Level Media