The Buffalo Bills are releasing veteran returner and wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. and veteran punter Mitch Wishnowsky, per ESPN sources. The moves come as the team works to reduce its roster to 53 players ahead of the NFL deadline at 6 p.m. ET Sunday. Hardman, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, had his best chance at an active roster spot as a punt returner but saw diminished opportunities after Ray Davis earned more punt return reps.

Davis muffed a punt in the third preseason game. Hardman, 28, was active for three regular-season games and one playoff game in 2025 after signing to the Bills' practice squad in November 2025. Wishnowsky is being released as rookie punter Tommy Doman Jr. earns the starting job.

Alaina Getzenberg, who covers the Bills for ESPN and joined the network in 2021, reported the news. She previously worked for the Charlotte Observer, CBS Sports, and the Dallas Morning News and is a UC Berkeley graduate.