The Buffalo Bills are 8-7, and they need a win and some help in order to end the longest playoff drought in North American professional sports. Heading into their Week 17 matchup with the Miami Dolphins, the Bills made a few roster moves.
Running back Travaris Cadet, signed by the Bills on November 4 of this year, was placed on injured reserve. During this past week’s game against the New England Patriots, Cadet suffered a dislocated ankle and ankle fracture. Also placed on injured reserve was wide receiver Andre Holmes, who led the Bills with three receiving touchdowns on the season. Holmes missed last week’s game against the Patriots with a neck injury. Finally, Deandre Coleman, a defensive tackle, was released by the club.
In their place, the Bills added three players to the active roster from their practice squad; running back Marcus Murphy, wide receiver Malachi Dupree, and defensive tackle Rickey Hatley.
Murphy has primarily served as a return man in his NFL career, totaling 723 return yards and a touchdown as a member of the New Orleans Saints. Dupree is a rookie who was drafted in the seventh round by the Green Bay Packers this past April. He was released on September 2, and signed to the Bills’ practice squad on September 12. Hatley went undrafted in April, but was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in May. He was released by Houston, then signed to the practice squad by the Kansas City Chiefs, released, re-signed with the Chiefs, and was released again before making his way to Buffalo’s practice squad on Christmas Eve.