Most significant move: The Buffalo Bills shocked fans by releasing longtime running back Fred Jackson, the franchise's third-leading rusher behind Thurman Thomas and O.J. Simpson. Neither coach Rex Ryan nor general manager Doug Whaley have provided much of an explanation for the move, but salary-cap reasons appear to be part of the equation. The Bills save about $2.5 million by releasing Jackson. That's salary-cap space they can carry into next season, when they'll need every penny to re-sign Marcell Dareus and others. Still, Jackson's departure leaves the Bills with a void at No. 2 running back. Rookie Karlos Williams is the favorite to fill that role once healthy, though Boobie Dixon and Bryce Brown could see increased playing time in the interim.
2014 fourth-round pick released: The Bills waived their 2014 fourth-round draft pick, cornerback Ross Cockrell, who did not play in Saturday's preseason game as he continued to recover from a knee injury. Cockrell was buried on the Bills' depth chart last season and faced even longer odds this summer after the Bills drafted Ronald Darby in the second round. Cockrell, who played at Duke, never seemed to get his footing with the Bills' new defense and then injured his knee in an Aug. 8 scrimmage. He had recently returned to practice but looks to have been beaten for a job by Mario Butler, a sturdier cornerback with better instincts.
Bills' cuts: Jackson, Cockrell, S Kenny Ladler, CB Ellis Lankster, LB Michael Buchanan, DE Andrew Hudson, DE Cedric Reed, DT Justin Hamilton, S Wesley Miller, RB Ricky Seale, G D.J. Morrell, OT Terren Jones, WR Austin Willis (waived/injured) and CB Cam Thomas (reserve/PUP).
