Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman is expected to suit up Sunday when the team hosts the New England Patriots, head coach Joe Brady said Friday.
Coleman has managed an ankle injury for more than a week. He logged limited practice sessions ahead of last week’s game and still appeared against the Los Angeles Chargers. He returned to a limited role again during this week’s preparations.
Brady addressed reporters after the Bills released their final injury report.
“He’ll be ready to rock for the game,” Brady said.
The second-year receiver has posted eight catches for 101 yards this season. One of those receptions went for 37 yards during the victory over the Chargers.
Buffalo enters the rivalry matchup with several players working through ailments, yet most of the group appears on track to be available. The coaching staff has monitored Coleman closely since the ankle issue first surfaced.
On defense, starting cornerback Christian Benford remains listed as questionable with his own ankle injury. He did not practice fully during the week, leaving his status uncertain heading into kickoff.
Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic projected that Benford would not play.
“Without Benford, the pressure falls on two of the Bills’ top draft picks over the last two years,” Buscaglia wrote. “Second-year cornerback Maxwell Hairston and rookie Davison Igbinosun will get the start, and pending health, both should play the full game. This has not been Benford’s best start to a season by any means, but his quiet reps of tight coverage in tough matchups against a team’s top receiver have gone overlooked compared to the noticeable catches he’s surrendered.”
Hairston, selected in the second round of the 2025 draft, has seen increased snaps in recent weeks. Igbinosun, a 2026 rookie, has primarily contributed on special teams and in sub packages so far.
Running back Ray Davis is also questionable. The Bills have already elevated practice-squad back Frank Gore Jr. twice this season. League rules allow only one more elevation before the team must sign him to the active roster or risk losing the option.
Davis has served as a change-of-pace option behind the primary ball carriers. His availability could influence how the staff allocates carries against a Patriots front that has limited opposing rushers in recent outings.
The Bills listed multiple players on the final report, but Brady indicated the majority should be cleared by game time. No other skill-position starters were ruled out Friday.
Coleman’s return gives quarterback Josh Allen another vertical threat on the outside. The receiver’s 12.6-yard average per catch ranks among the higher marks for Buffalo’s wideouts through the early portion of the schedule.
The coaching staff views Coleman’s presence as a way to stretch the field and open intermediate routes for the slot receivers. Special teams considerations also factor into the roster decisions. Elevating Gore Jr. a third time would consume the final emergency activation available under current rules.
Brady has emphasized availability throughout the week. The final injury report showed Coleman without a game-status designation that would prevent him from playing, aligning with the coach’s public comments.
