Keon Coleman is settling in nicely for the Buffalo Bills in Year 3. The former second-round pick has played respectable football through three games, posting 8 catches for 101 yards. It is too early to project off those numbers, but the modest line has not stopped the conversation around a receiver who was one of the most talked-about storylines of the offseason.
That storyline followed a Terry Pegula and Brandon Beane press conference, and while there is no need to re-hash all of the drama, Coleman’s role with the Bills has become clearer as the season has started. What has been most encouraging is his ability to make the most of the opportunities he has been given.
In Week 2, Coleman answered the call after DJ Moore exited the game with an injury. He caught all 6 of his targets for 63 yards in a 41-31 victory over the Detroit Lions. In Week 3, he corralled a 37-yard pass from Josh Allen near the goal line that led to a critical touchdown just before the half. He also covered the onside kick to end the game, securing the Bills’ win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
This role, and these statistics, may not be what fans envisioned when the Bills drafted him in 2024. But as the Bills offense has evolved under head coach Joe Brady, Coleman’s production through the start of the season has been solid. The statistics only tell part of the story, and his timing on key plays has added another layer.
On the injury front, Coleman returned to practice as a limited participant on Thursday after he was sidelined for Wednesday’s session with an ankle injury. In his third season, he has caught eight passes for 101 yards so far in 2026.
Linebacker Joe Andreessen (knee) and defensive lineman T.J. Sanders (illness) were upgraded from DNP to limited. Defensive lineman Deone Walker (quad) was upgraded from limited to full. Cornerback Christian Benford (toe) missed a second consecutive practice. Safety Damar Hamlin (ribs) and receiver DJ Moore (shoulder) remained limited. Linebacker Terrel Bernard (knee), outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (thumb), guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams (elbow), and linebacker Dorian Williams (hip) remained full. Running back Ray Davis (hamstring) was added to the report as a full participant. Defensive back Sam Franklin missed practice for personal reasons.
Buffalo hosts New England this week, with Coleman 48th among wide receivers in PFN’s Week 4 rankings. That comes a week after a 37-yard splash play to the 1-yard line showed strong body control from a receiver who entered the game iffy with an ankle injury. Coleman had six catches in Week 2, all of the short air yard variety, a change of pace from both his traditional role and the overall direction of Joe Brady’s 2026 scheme.
He has earned three total targets in the two games DJ Moore did not exit early. Buffalo has shown through playing time that it prioritizes Coleman over Joshua Palmer, though a shared small role in a Josh Allen offense is a thin needle to thread. Josh Allen-led offenses rarely concentrate targets, though Moore has been about as clear a first-read wide receiver as the Bills have had in a while, and Dalton Kincaid is typically the next option.
PFN calls Coleman a ‘rosterable but not reliable’ player. The schedule is what sells him on holding onto the back end of rosters. The Raiders in Week 6, the Jets in Week 10 and the Dolphins in Week 11 all line up with big bye weeks, which makes him a stash for isolated spots.
The Bills will host the Patriots on Sunday afternoon.
