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Bills Brutally Cut Former Second-Round Pick Hours After Birthday Tribute — Player Left in Shock

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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – August 26, 2025 – The Buffalo Bills made one of the coldest moves of cutdown day, releasing a former second-round pick only hours after celebrating his birthday with teammates.

The decision came during final cutdowns as Buffalo trimmed its roster to 53. Despite showing flashes of speed and versatility in the preseason, the veteran wideout was unable to secure a place in one of the league’s most competitive receiver rooms.

Teammates had shared cake and laughter earlier in the day, believing the occasion was a moment of levity before the storm of roster decisions. Few imagined that one of their own would be let go before the icing had even settled.

That player was Kahlee Jacoby “K.J.” Hamler, the former Penn State star and second-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2020. Hamler, who joined Buffalo on a reserve/future contract in January, had been battling for a spot as a depth receiver and returner.

In a raw and emotional statement, Hamler recounted the surreal timing: “I was still cutting the cake with my teammates when the call came. To be released on the same day the team celebrated my birthday… I’ve never felt a shock like that in my life.”

Hamler’s NFL journey has been turbulent. From a promising rookie season in Denver to a series of devastating injuries — ACL, hamstring, pectoral surgery, and even pericarditis — his career has been defined as much by resilience as by setbacks.

With Buffalo, he flashed glimpses of the deep-threat speed that once made him a coveted prospect, including a rushing touchdown in preseason against the Giants. Still, roster math and depth at wide receiver left little room for his story to continue at the active level.

For now, Hamler remains on the Bills’ practice squad, awaiting another chance to prove himself. But the sting of being released on his birthday will linger — a reminder of how unforgiving the NFL can be, even in its most human moments.

Bills sign punter who looks just like famous comedian and their head coach
The Buffalo Bills were not joking around about upgrading their kicking game. They signed a punter who looks like comedian Bill Burr. Buffalo added Cameron Johnston and kicker Matt Prater to their active roster on Monday, waiving punter Brad Robbins after just one game. Sean McDermott now has a punter close to his likeness and a kicker close to his age. Cameron Johnston joins Bills   Johnston, 33, is an eight-year NFL veteran who has appeared in 96 games with the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers, posting a career average of 47.3 yards per punt. Looking for a free mini puzzle? Play the USA TODAY Quick Cross now. A native of Victoria, Australia, he transitioned from Aussie rules football to punting at Ohio State, where he won a national title in 2014. He was Philadelphia’s starter from 2018–20, spent three seasons with Houston, and played in Pittsburgh in 2024 before a knee injury ended his year. Johnston lost the job in training camp to Corliss Waitman in Pittsburgh this year. Off the field, Johnston and his wife cover adoption fees for shelter dogs every time one of his punts lands inside the 20. He has 183 such kicks in his career. Bill Burr lookalike goes viral McDermott won't look to punt. But if he does, he'll think he's looking in the mirror. Johnston is a McDermott doppelgänger — bald head, fair skin and orange scruff — and has long been compared to stand-up comedian and actor Bill Burr. Burr acknowledged the resemblance on The Breakfast Club radio show. "Oh, yeah, I've seen that guy," Burr said. "It's scary. I concur. The guy definitely looks like me." Bills release Brad Robbins Robbins signed with Buffalo this offseason, but lasted just one game. He had the worst punting expected points added (EPA) and was next to last in punt average (39.5 yards) in Week 1. The Bills gave Robbins the boot on Monday. Matt Prater rewarded with roster spot   Prater, 41, is the NFL’s king of long kicks, holding the league record for most field goals from 50 yards or more (81). Elevated from the practice squad for Sunday night’s 41-40 win over the Ravens, he went 3-for-3 on field goals, including the 32-yard walk-off, and made both of his extra points. With Tyler Bass on injured reserve, Prater had already exhausted one of his three practice squad elevations. Prater is the second-oldest active player in the league, behind only Aaron Rodgers, and ranks 14th in NFL history \with 1,819 career points.