Ahead of the preseason finale, Bills insider discussions suggested Bowry could be placed on injured reserve (IR) before the cutdown to 53 players. The prevailing view is that Bowry would be a lock for the 53-man roster if healthy, but the combination of the injury and the Bills’ depth at offensive line complicates the roster math. The Bills reportedly have about a dozen candidates who could be considered for the final offensive line spots, and keeping that many players may not align with roster needs across the rest of the team.
Head coach Joe Brady indicated that the current injuries should not drastically alter the roster planning, but exercising caution with an injured reserve option remains plausible, especially given the reserve OL roster crunch that can emerge as teams finalize their rosters.
If Bowry were placed on IR, it would dampen expectations for his rookie season but could improve Buffalo’s long-term roster outlook by enabling them to retain another offensive lineman who remains on the bubble, such as Chase Lundt.
Bowry’s stock among scouts was notably strong entering Day 3 of the 2026 draft. In the team’s embedded coverage, Bills leadership asked scouts to name one player they were most convinced about for the fourth round. Bowry emerged as a favorite among many scouts, contributing to Buffalo’s decision to select him with the 102nd overall pick.
The Bills selected Bowry with the expectation that he would serve as a versatile blocker on the edge, contributing as a swing tackle and depth option along the offensive line.
Preparing for the season’s final preseason game, Buffalo is set to face the Pittsburgh Steelers. While the quarterback position will not feature Josh Allen in this outing, head coach Joe Brady indicated that some starters could still see action as the club evaluates players vying for roster spots and potential practice squad roles. The emphasis for this game is on evaluating the depth chart and final roster decisions ahead of the regular season.
Buffalo’s regular-season opener is on September 13, when they host the Houston Texans. As the team works through the final preseason evaluations, the outlook for Bowry will hinge on his recovery, the team’s tactical needs, and how rosters shake out in late August.
