Why Keon Coleman Reportedly Is Out for Bills vs. Browns

After being benched twice already this season, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman is starting to grow accustomed to being on the sidelines.

NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reported that Coleman will be a healthy inactive for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns. Wolfe noted that, unlike his previous two benchings, this one is "not discipline related" and is simply "a coach decision."

Rather than having Coleman in the lineup, the Bills opted to roll with veteran receiver Mecole Hardman Jr., who was recently activated off injured reserve following his recovery from a calf injury.

A third benching for Coleman continues a massively disappointing sophomore season in the NFL. The 2024 second-round pick showed flashes of immense potential in 13 games as a rookie and was expected to take a leap forward this year, but he's struggled to live up to the hype.

In 12 games this season, Coleman has recorded 36 catches for 355 yards and four touchdowns. He was benched for Buffalo's Week 11 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being late to a team meeting, and he was a healthy scratch the following week against the Houston Texans.

At 10-4 entering Sunday's game against the Browns, the Bills are one game behind the New England Patriots (11-3) for first place in the AFC East. Many would've expected Buffalo to have all hands on deck for the home stretch in the race for the division crown, but there will now be questions about Coleman's future with the franchise after he was removed from the lineup.

It seems that the Bills are confident that they will be able to extend their winning streak to four straight games without Coleman on the field on Sunday.