Just when the Buffalo Bills felt things were moving in the right direction, they hit a major speed bump. Wide receiver Keon Coleman once again hopped on the inactive list for Week 16 against the Cleveland Browns. 

“Bills receiver Keon Coleman, I’m told, will be inactive today and a health you scratch,” reported Cameron Wolfe. “It is a coach’s decision, not discipline-related.”

This marks the second time this season that Coleman will be missing. He previously sat out due to a two-game suspension for disciplinary issues, but this absence stems from a confirmed unrelated matter. 

The reason for Coleman’s absence hasn’t been disclosed; it seems serious. Cause head coach Sean McDermott has pulled veteran receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. off the Injured Reserve for Week 16. Along with him, they have Joshua Palmer, Khalil Shakir, Tyrell Shavers, and Brandin Cooks active for this week’s game. 

Coleman was brought to Buffalo as an “exciting player,” however, so far, he has only been able to show inconsistency. He has logged 36 receptions for 355 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games this season. Just last week, he couldn’t make a single catch despite being the team’s third leading receiver. He was declared inactive for both Week 11 and Week 12 due to disciplinary reasons.

Earlier in November, quarterback Josh Allen had an interesting reaction when the reporters asked him if Coleman is doing enough with the chances they’ve been given. After a long pause, Allen said: 

“He got one today, so yeah.” 

What’s particularly tragic about Coleman’s tardiness and struggles as a pass-catcher? Undrafted Shavers, after two years on the Bills’ practice squad, has managed to find a starring offensive role at Coleman’s expense. This Week 16 means more to Buffalo than simply to clinch a playoff berth; they are chasing the top seed in the playoffs. Even though they have odds in their favor against the Browns, McDermott isn’t leaving anything on chances. 

Koen Coleman’s rookie slump hits hard

2025 started on the right footing for rookie WR Coleman. Against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, he racked up eight receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown. However, the road has been bumpy since then. He hasn’t been able to exceed 50 yards in the following 11 games. For the past three weeks, reaching 16 receiving yards has seemed like a big task for Coleman. 

When head coach McDermott was asked about the rookie, who was supposed to be Allen’s top weapon on the field, he sidestepped and instead addressed the struggle for the entire receiving corps. 

“Overall, the wide receivers, I would say, all in the same boat a little bit,” he remarked. “Wanting to get them more involved, wanting to get them going a little bit more than we’ve been able to… I know those guys are going to continue to work hard at it. Keon being one of them as well.”

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It isn’t certain how the Bills plan to deal with Coleman’s inconsistency; they know reaching Super Bowl glory wouldn’t be possible this way. Back in November, they had inquired about Jaylen Waddle’s availability, but the negotiations didn’t turn out fruitful. Right now, their focus is on Week 16 and clinching that sparkling postseason berth.