Bills Central

Buffalo Bills receive major status update on star WR

The Buffalo Bills have received a major status update about their star wide receiver ahead of Week 18.

Evan Massey

Nov 17, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (18) makes a catch against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at Highmark Stadium.
Nov 17, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (18) makes a catch against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at Highmark Stadium. / Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
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The Buffalo Bills are heading into their final game of the regular season this week against the New England Patriots. At this point in time, the Bills have nothing to play for, as they have already locked up the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoff picture.

It has been expected that very few of the starters would play much, if at all. However, there is one starter who won't even have the chance to play.

According to a report from ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, wide receiver Amari Cooper has been downgraded to out for Week 18 against the Patriots.

RELATED: Bills' GM Brandon Beane's best roster moves of 2024

He will not make the trip with the team and has been excused from the team due to a personal family matter.

No more details were revealed about what Cooper is dealing with. Being excused from the team due to a family matter is cause for concern.

Amari Cooper
Dec 29, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against New York Jets cornerback Brandin Echols (26) / Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Hopefully, there is nothing seriously wrong and Cooper will be ready to rejoin the team and play in their first playoff matchup. Fans will most certainly be sending thoughts and prayers his way.

After being acquired in a trade before the deadline, Cooper has been unable to live up to the hype. He has been a solid addition, but he has not been the No. 1 target that Buffalo was hoping it was getting.

Related: Watch: Amari Cooper’s unreal grab seals Josh Allen’s 40th touchdown of MVP season

In eight games with the Bills since the trade, Cooper has caught just 20 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns.

At 30 years old, there are some who are concerned that Cooper's age and amount of wear and tear on his body might be catching up to him. However, Buffalo is still holding out hope that he might find his stride and become a key playmaker during the team's playoff run.

amari cooper josh allen
Bills Amari Cooper pitches the ball back to Bills quarterback Josh Allen who runs in for a touchdown during second half action of their home game against the San Francisco 49ers in Orchard Park on Dec. 1, 2024. / Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Josh Allen could use a much better version of Cooper. Things will get much more difficult for the offense in the postseason.

Related: Will Buffalo Bills let Amari Cooper walk away in free agency?

All of that being said, Cooper will be away from the team this week. He wouldn't have played much anyway, so it won't have much if any impact on the game.

amari cooper
Nov 17, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (18) makes a catch against the Kansas City Chiefs / Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

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Evan Massey
EVAN MASSEY

Evan Massey is a sports reporter and analyst who covers college football, the NFL and NBA. He has contributed to the On SI network since July 2021. He has also written for ESPN, Yahoo! Sports, Forbes, Bleacher Report, NFLAnalysis.net, NBAAnalysis.net and many other publications. In his free time, Evan enjoys spending time with his wife and son.

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