The Buffalo Bills released receiver Jake Kumerow on Wednesday, likely hoping they could return him to their practice squad this weekend. That’s not going to happen, as the New Orleans Saints put in a waiver claim for the former Green Bay Packers wideout on Friday.
Kumerow helped spark the Bills to a 48-19 blowout win over the Denver Broncos with his 22-yard touchdown catch. It was his only catch and target in his six games in a Bills uniform.
The most likely explanation for the Bills moving on from Kumerow? The impending return of John Brown, last year’s leading receiver. Brown’s been on injured reserve with an ankle injury, but the team designated him to return last week. If the team wanted to reinstate Brown, the easiest cut on their 53-man roster is the lowest receiver on the totem pole—and that’s Kumerow, who has appeared for 17 snaps in his six games.
Buffalo had moved several players from their practice squad to the active roster back to the practice squad this year. This is the first one they’ve lost on the waiver wire as the NFL has changed their COVID-19 policies, making it easier for players from other teams to join an active roster.
Before this change, a cut player had to wait six days to join a new club, which made it tough for teams to get someone ready to play the next week. Now they can sign with or be claimed by a team provided the player doesn’t miss a test, travels privately, and then passes a rapid test.