Who Should I Start? Mecole Hardman or Justin Shorter

Friday, January 16, 4:45 PM

The Buffalo Bills announced on Friday that they elevated wide receiver Mecole Hardman from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster for Saturday's Divisional Round game against the hosting Denver Broncos. The team also elevated running back Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad. Hardman will give Buffalo extra receiver depth after Gabe Davis (knee) and Tyrell Shavers (knee) both tore their ACLs in last Sunday's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs. Joshua Palmer (ankle) is also on Injured Reserve for the Bills, so their depth at the WR position behind Khalil Shakir will be tested in Denver. The 27-year-old Hardman is unlikely to have a big role on offense this weekend against a tough defense. In just two regular-season games in 2025, he had one target and no receptions.

Friday, September 5, 2:41 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders have made a series of back-of-roster moves, elevating third-year wide receiver Justin Shorter to the active roster and signing veteran receiver Phillip Dorsett to fill his spot on the practice squad. The Raiders were able to open a roster spot after moving Amari Cooper to the Reserve/Retired list following his unheralded retirement announcement on Thursday. At 6'4" and 227 pounds, Shorter was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2023 but spent his rookie season on injured reserve. He spent 2024 between the Raiders' active roster and practice squad as he transitioned to playing tight end. He made ten regular-season appearances without registering a stat. While the Raiders search for any depth in the wide receiver room, Shorter's signing should have no significance to fantasy managers.