The Buffalo Bills have announced the first five cuts of the season, as the team waived five players to get down to the NFL-mandated 75-man roster maximum. The cuts needed to be made by this afternoon. The following players were released:
P D.J. Fitzpatrick, WR C.J. Hawthorne, DE Shaun Nua, CB Kennard Cox. Additionally, QB Matt Baker was waived/injured.
Buffalo's roster now stands at 75; the Bills host the Detroit Lions in their pre-season finale on Thursday, and the team must cut 22 more players by Saturday's cut-down date of August 30 to reach the NFL roster maximum of 53 players.
Can't say that any of these cuts are surprising. Nua was on his way out ever since the team signed street free agent Derrick Jones, who stole his reps right out of the gate. Cox - a seventh round draft choice in April - was likely released early in an attempt to lower interest, as he is a prime candidate for the team's practice squad. Baker has a shot at that role as well.
Thoughts on these releases?