The Buffalo Bills turned quite a few heads on Sunday when they officially announced second-year wide receiver Keon Coleman would be a healthy scratch hours before their Week 11 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Many had speculated the move was because of Colemanâs struggle to make an impact on the field this season (he has just 24 receptions, 218 yards and 2 TD since Week 1).
However, ESPNâs Adam Schefter revealed on Sunday morning the benching was actually not because of anything heâs doneâor hasnât doneâon the field.
âColeman’s inactive status is not related to on-field performance, according to a source,â Schefter reported.
âIt is instead because he missed a team meeting Friday morning. Before missing the meeting, the Bills had planned to play him. Coleman was a full participant in practice all week. This is the first time in his career he will be a healthy scratch for a full game.â
Coleman Gets Snubbed by QB Josh Allen
Despite the fact that he was not playing on Sunday, Coleman appeared to be in good spirits when he arrived to Highmark Stadium. He was even seen dancing and joking around during warm ups.
With Coleman on the bench, the door was opened for a few other Bills receivers including Joshua Palmer, Tyrell Shavers, Gabe Davis, and Mecole Hardman to step in and make an impression.
Shavers was the one who took advantage, hauling in a 43-yard touchdown from Allen midway through the second quarter to put Buffalo ahead 14-10. As Allen returned to the sideline, he noticeably brushed past Coleman, who had his hand extended to congratulate his QB, to celebrate with defensive tackle Jordan Phillips.
âJosh Allen completely ignoring Keon Coleman after the TD lol,â one fan pointed out.
âThank god Josh Allen has shavers. Keon Coleman was holding him back!!!!â another fan added.
Bills WR Issues Run Deeper Than Just Coleman
GettyBuffalo Bills QB Josh Allen and WR Keon Coleman had an awkward moment against the Bucs
Though heâs struggled in most games this season, Colemanâs absence could be felt through the first three quarters.
Allen did have three touchdown passes, but he also threw two interceptions. Coleman may not have been putting up eye-catching numbers, but the team certainly missed having his big frame (heâs 6-foot-4, 215 pounds) on the boundary plucking passes out of the air or leaping to win jump balls and contested catches against undersized defensive backs.
In addition to the 43-yard score, Shavers had three receptions for 47 yards through three quarters. Aside from that, the only other player with more than one catch was running backs Ty Johnson, who had a 52-yard touchdown catch.
Palmer (13 yards), Davis (7 yards), Curtis Samuel (5 yards), and Khalil Shakir (-3 yards) all totaled one reception, as did running back James Cook, who had a 25-yards touchdown grab at the end of the third quarter.
Heading into Sundayâs game, Shakir was the only pass-catcher on the Billsâ roster with more than 35 catches or 450 yards receiving.
The team tried aggressively (and failed) to add a high-profile receiver before the trade deadline, and itâs likely given the struggles the passing game has had that WR will be at the top of the offseason priority list.
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