SportS BriefS

catches on 62 targets for 354 yards and one touchdown, and was knocked for several drops as well as running poor routes this season.

He has topped 50 yards receiving just once — a fivecatch, 71-yard outing in a 37-5 loss at Indianapolis in October — and finished with two or fewer catches nine times in 12 games this season.

That wasn’t the type of production the Bills were expecting from the 2014 first-round draft pick they acquired in a trade with Carolina on Oct. 31, 2017.

Rather than re-establish himself as a top threat following three-plus inconsistent seasons in Carolina, Benjamin wound up being surpassed on the Bills depth chart by second-year receiver Zay Jones, rookie Robert Foster and Isaiah McKenzie, who was claimed on waivers last month.

Benjamin had a combined three catches for 52 yards in his past three games.

Buffalo also cut veteran receiver Andre Holmes, who was mostly used on special teams, and placed starting center Russell Bodine on injured reserve. Bodine broke his leg in a 21-17 loss at Miami on Sunday.

The Bills (4-8), who host the New York Jets (3-9) on Sunday, filled two of the roster spots by promoting defensive end Mike Love and cornerback Denzel Rice from their practice squad.

Benjamin’s work ethic was questioned.

Before a 20-13 loss at Houston on Oct. 14, a television reporter tweeted an exchange she said she overheard during pregame warmups. The reporter tweeted Benjamin said no when rookie quarterback Josh Allen asked him if he wanted to work on routes.

Benjamin and the Bills refuted the story.

Four days later, Benjamin was the first receiver off the field following practice while others spent additional time working out with then-backup quarterback Nathan Peterman.