Bills receiver Keon Coleman was a healthy scratch for Sunday’s 44-32 home win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though it turned out not to be play or effort related.
It was because he missed a team meeting on Friday.
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“It is disappointing, but I still believe in the young man,” Head Coach Sean McDermott said about the decision. “I believe he will learn from it.”
When Coleman was asked about his conversation with McDermott, he echoed that sentiment.
“Exactly how you’d imagine,” said Coleman. “Disappointing, I got to be better.”
“I got to be better” was what the 22-year-old repeated throughout the interview.
This was the third case of disciplinary action for Coleman in his pro career with the Bills. He was held out of the first quarter in their 2024 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and the first offensive series against the New England Patriots earlier this season. The reason for the latter was “failing to meet team standards”.When asked about why he missed another meeting this time, Coleman said, “Mistakes happen.” He noted being where he’s supposed to and “doing the right things…late, missing, same difference.”
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He was also asked if he felt like he let Josh Allen down. “I know that’s probably disappointing, of course, but you’ll have to ask him for that sure answer,” Coleman responded.
Allen had 317 passing yards, lighting up six different players for multiple receptions and the Bills scored a season-high 44 points.
“I don’t make those decisions,” said Allen when asked by the press about Coleman not playing. “Would love to have him out there. The way rosters work, that’s how it works sometimes.”
The Bills selected Coleman with the No. 33 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft. The young receiver is still developing, and is averaging 27.3 receiving yards in eight games this season since breaking out in the team’s opener for a 112-yard game against Baltimore.
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In Joe Brady’s offense, Coleman needs to make the most out of his opportunities and needs to be on the field to do so. He realized his lack of discipline off-field was affecting his ability to be a part of things on it.
“You can’t make those types of mistakes, you’re a professional,” he added.
When asked about whether he’d be playing on Thursday night against the Houston Texans, he replied, “We just finished the game, we’ll focus on next week when we get there.”
Allen, who’s been a vocal supporter of Coleman since he was drafted, offered some advice to the young pass catcher when asked by the press.
“Just continue to keep working hard, and control what he can control.”
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: NFL AFC Buffalo Bills Keon Coleman Josh Allen offers advice
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