6 Bills players on the bubble to watch vs. the Steelers
The Buffalo Bills travel down to Pittsburgh this weekend to face the Steelers in Week 2 of the NFL preseason.
Not only that, there is a joint practice scheduled between the two on Thursday.
The Bills could play some starters but most of the snaps will be handled by the backups, many of whom are fighting for a roster spot.
Here are six Bills players believed to be “on the bubble” who have the most to gain in this game:
CB Daequan Hardy
Hardy's ticket to the 53-man roster is going to be as a returner. In that area last week against the Chicago Bears, he made a questionable decision when he called for a fair catch inside the five-yard line. But this is about KJ Hamler, too. The receiver is also vying for playing time as a returner and he fumbled against the Bears.
Hardy putting in a good shift at cornerback on defense will help, too.
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Valdes-Scantling's situation starts and finishes with one word: Drops. If he keeps them up, he won't make the 53-man roster.
TE Zach Davidson
Davidson is looking to take the No. 3 tight end position behind Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox. In recent years, Quintin Morris has held that spot and he's still there.
Davidson has flashed during training camp. He did not as much last week against Chicago. Morris has versatility the Bills like, so Davidson needs to put something on film in order to lock in a roster spot.
DT DeShawn Williams
Buffalo's third-round rookie DeWayne Carter played the most snaps of any defensive lineman against the Bears. That cut into Williams' playing time so he has to make the most out of the snaps he does get... or at least do better than he did against Chicago. His 34.2 grade from Pro Football Focus was among the worst marks for anyone on the Bills last weekend.
LB Deion Jones
Injuries are mounting at the linebacker position for the Bills. Clearly the one at the top is All-Pro Matt Milano's bicep injury. While Dorian Williams is the next-man up, another reserve linebacker in Baylon Spector has also been banged up. Because of these two knocks combined, Jones might get a solid amount of playing time against the Steelers--An opportunity he'll need to take.
S Kareem Jackson
Similar to linebacker, there are a slew of injuries at safety. That's why Jackson was signed in the first place.
After starting down the depth chart, Jackson has been moving up it. Second-round rookie Cole Bishop (shoulder) and Mike Edwards (hamstring) are still out and Damar Hamlin was limited in Buffalo's joint practice with the Steelers. Even if Hamlin does play during the actual game in Pittsburgh, Jackson might see a healthy chunk of playing time.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 6 Bills players on the bubble to watch vs. the Steelers
