The Buffalo Bills have added wide receiver Kenny Stills to their practice squad, the team announced Monday. Stills comes with a wealth of NFL experience. Buffalo also made another move at receiver, adding Tanner Gentry, who played with Josh Allen at Wyoming.
Stills was a starting-caliber receiver in the league for seven years, spending time with the New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, and Houston Texans. He averaged 43 catches, 671 yards, and five TDs from 2013 to 2019 but was used much more sparingly in 2020 with Houston. He recorded 11 catches on 19 targets for 144 yards and one TD in ten games this year.
At the time of his release, the move was seen as a way to help both parties. The Texans could try out some younger players while Stills could catch on with a contender. It took a while, but here he is with a contender.
“I’m told the Texans had no issue with Kenny Stills, who was respected in the locker room,” wrote Aaron Reiss of The Athletic at the time. “He just wasn’t playing and now gets a chance to join a team that will give him that chance.”
The Bills released Jake Kumerow two weeks ago, hoping to get him onto the practice squad when Brown was returning from his leg injuries. Kumerow was claimed by the New Orleans Saints.
It’s unclear if the Stills signing is related to the injury to Cole Beasley, who is considered week-to-week, or if it’s just a move to solidify depth. Buffalo’s depth receivers performed well on Sunday, with Isaiah McKenzie hauling in two TD passes and Gabriel Davis recording his first 100-yard game in the pros.
Gentry played four games for the Chicago Bears in 2017, notching three receptions. He bounced on and off their roster that season. He spent the entire 2018 season on the practice squad and was waived following 2019 training camp. He spent time in the XFL before signing with Buffalo today.
To make room, the Bills released WR Gary Jennings & WR J.J. Nelson.