Bills rookie Skyler Bell to make NFL debut Monday, coach says
Rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell will make his NFL debut Monday night for the Buffalo Bills, Coach Joe Brady said Saturday after practice. Brady said Joshua Palmer (shoulder) will miss the game, creating an opportunity for Bell to join the rotation against the Los Angeles Rams. Injuries reshuffled the depth chart during the week, and Bell took reps with the first group as the staff adjusted packages accordingly. The game will mark Bell’s first regular-season appearance after he was drafted in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL draft.
Brady said Bell worked with plays that were repurposed after injuries earlier in the week, including taking some of DJ Moore’s snaps while Moore dealt with a shoulder issue. He said Bell has been getting work with quarterback Josh Allen in practice and that the staff trusts his ability to perform in multiple spots. Brady said he has full confidence in Bell and that he is excited for the rookie’s opportunity. The team will evaluate game-day availability before finalizing the active roster.
Bell said he is ready for the moment and credited preparation through the season, studying the playbook and learning multiple positions as reasons he feels prepared to step in. He said he has tried to know all the spots he could play so he can fill in if someone goes down or if he is asked to play a role he did not rep extensively in practice. Bell added that working in individual periods and on routes with Allen has helped their developing connection. He said the chance to show that connection in a game setting will be exciting for him.
Buffalo selected Bell in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL draft. The team described him as a versatile receiver with approximately 4.4 speed and the ability to gain yards after the catch. He scored 13 touchdowns in his final season at UConn in 2025. Monday night’s game will be Bell’s first opportunity to demonstrate his skills in a regular-season contest.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Bell’s debut arrives because injuries have affected Buffalo’s receiving corps, and the Bills plan to lean on players who have taken reps with the starters. His practice work with Josh Allen and preparation across multiple receiver spots give him a clearer path to immediate snaps than many rookies receive. As a fourth-round pick with notable speed and college scoring production, he provides a low-risk option to replace targets vacated by Palmer and any limited availability related to DJ Moore’s shoulder concerns. Monday’s game will offer a meaningful early test of his readiness at the NFL level.