The Buffalo Bills wrapped up their preseason schedule with a 31-26 loss to the Carolina Panthers at Highmark Stadium on Saturday. With Buffalo’s starters on the bench, it was the final chance for players fighting for roster spots to prove they should make the cut. 

BUFFALO JOE STARTS AGAIN

Coming off an eye-opening performance last week against the Steelers, rookie linebacker Joe Andreessen started again in the middle against the Panthers with many wondering if the Western New York native could make his hometown team. While he did not replicate the same exceptional effort he had in Pittsburgh, he did register 8 combined tackles while playing deep into the 2nd half. Andreessen, who played high school football at Lancaster High and finished his college career at the University at Buffalo, has been the talk of the town as he looked to go from an undrafted rookie tryout player to making an NFL roster. 

WR BATTLE

With the starters resting and the Bills down to Ben DiNucci and Anthony Brown at quarterback, it was likely difficult to get a good read on evaluating some of the wide receivers fighting to earn roster spots. Tyrell Shavers, who stood out during training camp at St. John Fisher University, was targeted four times, hauling two catches for 15 yards. Notably, DiNucci and Shavers just missed connecting on a touchdown pass early in the game. K.J. Hamler, who can also return kicks, had three receptions for 11 yards. It will be interesting to see if the Bills decide to keep only five wide receivers or extend to six. If Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Curtis Samuel are trending toward being ready for the regular season opener, there is a scenario where those two are joined by Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir and Mack Hollins. If they want to keep six, it’s likely between Shavers and Hamler. Shavers spent last season on the Bills practice squad. 

WHAT’S THE QB SITUATION?

For the first time in three preaseason games, the Bills offense was able to score a touchdown against the Panthers. DiNucci threw to running back Darryton Evans, who scattered down the sideline for an 18-yard score. DiNucci, who played the entire first half before giving way to Anthony Brown, went 11-15 for 76 yards, and ran for 14 more yards. The big question is, will Mitchell Trubisky be healthy enough to be Josh Allen’s backup for the season opener, and are the Bills happy with his play throughout camp and the preseason to keep him in that position, or look elsewhere for quarterback help?

BASS OFF THE MARK

Tyler Bass made 1-of-2 field goal tries on Saturday, but it’s the misses that always draw the most ire from fans. His fourth quarter kick was wide right from 51 yards. Bass finished off the preseason 6-for-7 on field goal attempts. There has been some concern about Bass this summer after missing more field goal tries than you’d like to see during practice, but he had been perfect until that fourth quarter miscue in the finale. Bass also failed to connect on some important kicks last season, including in the closing stages of the Bills playoff loss to Kansas City. Head coach Sean McDermott gave Bass a public vote of confidence in the days leading up to the preseason finale, but that hasn’t stopped fans and observers from wondering if some of his struggles will continue into the season. After the game, head coach Sean McDermott said of Bass’s miss: Those are ones he’s got to make. He knows that.”

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

Frank Gore Jr. shined in the running game against the Panthers, finishing with 18 rushes for 101 and a touchdown on the ground. Gore’s father, Frank Gore Sr., was in attendance in Orchard Park, where he played for the Bills in 2019 and finished his career just four years ago third on the all-time rushing list with 16,000 yards. Gore Jr., who joined the club as an undrafted free agent, has been the Bills fourth running back throughout the preseason, but likely has a chance to land on the practice squad. 

ROSTER CUTS LOOMING

The Bills and the 31 other NFL have until 4 p.m. on Tuesday to cut their rosters to 53, then former their practice squads after that.

The Bills now begin preparing for the regular season opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 8 at Highmark Stadium.