Mecole Hardman Released by Bills

Mecole Hardman was released by the Bills as Buffalo cut toward the 53-man roster ahead of the NFL's Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026, 6 p.m. ET deadline. ESPN reported that the team announced the release of the veteran returner and wide receiver on Saturday. A source also confirmed to ESPN that Buffalo is releasing punter Mitch Wishnowsky, with rookie Tommy Doman Jr. winning the punting job.

Hardman, 28, is a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs. ESPN wrote that he signed to the Bills' practice squad in November 2025, was active for three regular-season games and one playoff game, and was fighting for a roster spot mostly as a punt returner. Buffalo had started giving running back Ray Davis more punt-return work, lowering Hardman's odds, ESPN noted. Davis muffed a punt in the third preseason game. The Bills still chose the roster spot elsewhere.

Why did the Bills release Mecole Hardman?

Cutdown math. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler first flagged the move. NBC Sports and Pro Football Rumors both framed Hardman as expendable once Buffalo traded for D.J. Moore and drafted UConn's Skyler Bell in the fourth round. Hardman was projected around WR6. As a vested veteran with six accrued seasons, Pro Football Rumors wrote he does not have to clear waivers and becomes a free agent immediately. The Bills could still bring him back on the practice squad.

Wishnowsky is the other name. Tom Pelissero and ESPN both had the veteran punter losing to seventh-round rookie Tommy Doman Jr. Two vested veterans off the 90. Same deadline day as the rest of the league's carnage, including moves like the Kyle McCord trade to the Dolphins and Saturday's Quinn Ewers deal to Jacksonville.

What is Mecole Hardman known for?

Speed, returns, and Super Bowl LVIII. NBC Sports reminded readers that Hardman scored the walk-off touchdown for Kansas City in overtime of that Super Bowl. He spent most of his career with the Chiefs before landing in Buffalo late last season and catching a touchdown in the playoff loss to Denver, per PFT. That résumé does not guarantee a Week 1 jersey. Cutdown day is when gadget veterans become free agents again.

Search Mecole Hardman released or Bills cuts and the answer is short: Buffalo let him go with Wishnowsky, Doman is the punter, and Hardman can sign anywhere or return on the practice squad. No drama beyond the roster sheet. The next update belongs to whichever team needs a returner before September.

Mecole Hardman Bills FAQ

Did the Bills release Mecole Hardman? Yes. The team announced it Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, ESPN reported, as part of cutting toward 53.

Who else did Buffalo cut? ESPN said a source confirmed punter Mitch Wishnowsky is also being released, with Tommy Doman Jr. winning the job.

Can Hardman return to Buffalo? Pro Football Rumors wrote he is a vested veteran who does not clear waivers, so the Bills could re-sign him to the practice squad.