BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Bills general manager Brandon Beane addressed the media Wednesday following roster cuts, as the team finalized its 53-man roster and added over a dozen players to its practice squad.
With the regular season just 11 days away, here are four observations from Beane's media availability.
Beane started his press conference with some good injury news, saying he was not anticipating putting any of the players who made the initial 53-man roster on injured reserve.
One of the biggest looming injury questions for the Bills entering Week 1 is the status of backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who suffered a knee injury during the second preseason game against Pittsburgh. Beane said it is "truly unknown" if Trubisky will be a go against the Cardinals, but he is "cautiously optimistic" that the 30-year-old will avoid going on IR.
The Bills signed former Jets and Dolphins quarterback Mike White to their practice squad Wednesday, and he would likely get called up to backup Josh Allen should Trubisky be out.
Beane said it is "way too early" to discuss a potential return date for linebacker Matt Milano, who suffered a torn bicep during practice around two weeks ago. Milano did have his bicep repaired, according to Beane, and was placed on injured reserve. He is eligible to return at some point, but the Bills are "letting Matt do his thing" at this point.
"Ultimately what we did was didn't close the door on the season, but we're not going to sit here and say we're expecting him by this point," Beane said.
Finally, Beane said offensive lineman Travis Clayton, a seventh-round pick this year, will miss the season due to a shoulder injury that may require surgery. The Bills GM is hopeful the Englishman can return next season and help the team.
Just like the rest of Bills Mafia, Buffalo's general manager had plenty of praise for undrafted rookie linebacker and Lancaster native Joe Andreessen, whose strong preseason earned him a spot on the initial Bills roster.
"Really cool story for Joe," Beane said. "Every step of the way he checked the box, checked the box, kept himself in play, kept himself in play. ... Some people are ready for their opportunity and others are not, and I think Joe did everything you could've asked."
The 24-year-old, who finished his collegiate career at UB, had his strongest showing of the preseason against the Pittsburgh Steelers, making 12 total tackles and flashing throughout the night. The opportunity to start came after the Bills opted to hold out their starters due to iffy weather, but Beane said he felt Andreessen "really passed the test that day."
"How can you not cheer for him?" Beane said. "There's a lot of guys we cheer for that don't make it, so we still have to make the best decision for the Bills, and to this point, he's done what's asked and he earned the opportunity to make our initial 53."
Despite some concern among the fanbase regarding kicker Tyler Bass, the Bills remain confident in the 27-year-old they signed to a four-year, $20.4 million contract extension last offseason.
"We're all human, what have you done for me lately. And the end of the season, he'd be the first to tell you was not the way it should go," Beane said. "We're confident in him, his teammates are confident in him."
Bass finished the preseason 6-of-7 on field goals, but only one of those made kicks was from longer than 40 yards. He missed his final field goal attempt, a 51-yarder, in the third preseason game against Carolina.
"He doesn't need Twitter or the fans telling him, he knows, he's his worst own critic," Beane said. "He works like crazy on his craft, nobody wants it more than him, nobody's working harder. ... Obviously, he'll have to go out there and do it though."
Buffalo did not add a kicker to its practice squad ahead of the season.
While safety Micah Hyde continues to mull retirement, a potential return to the Bills at some point this season is not off the table, according to Beane.
"Love Micah, and we have not closed the door on that," Beane said of Hyde coming back to play in Buffalo. "As far as I understand, I don't think Micah has either. We'll stay in touch."
When asked about his football future in May, Hyde said "It’s Bills or retire."
The Bills' safety depth took multiple hits this preseason thanks to injuries to Cole Bishop, Mike Edwards and Damar Hamlin, but the former two returned to practice last week and will likely be ready for Week 1.
Adam Gorski is a Buffalo native who joined the WIVB News 4 team in 2022. You can find more of his work here.
