Keon Coleman served as a healthy inactive on Sunday after showing up late to a team meeting on Friday morning, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter.
Sunday’s scratch marked the third known disciplinary offense for Coleman in less than two seasons. Coleman faced two benchings previously due to off-field incidents.
To pair, Josh Allen and the Buffalo passing offense passed for 317 yards with Coleman out of the lineup. The 317 yards served as the second-most passing yards for the Bills in a game all season.
So, what does Buffalo do with their second-year wideout?
Situation #1: Keep Coleman on the bench
Although it’s been one game, Buffalo’s passing offense looked more explosive without the 22-year-old in the lineup. After Sunday, if the coaching staff no longer views Coleman as one of the team’s five best receivers, Coleman will have to be in street clothes until a poor passing performance, and/or injury.
If Buffalo decides not to dress Coleman, and they have another successful passing outing Thursday Night against Houston, it could get really difficult to predict when he could return.
Oftentimes, coaches in the NHL use the healthy-scratch approach with younger, developing players who are struggling. Depending on the player, this approach has varying degrees of success with player development.
Situation #2: Coleman returns Thursday against the Houston Texans
In Sunday’s postgame, Bills head coach Sean McDermott said, “I still believe in the young man.” If the staff truly does believe in last year’s second-round pick, he likely does return for Thursday Night Football.
Coleman’s played the most snaps among Buffalo receivers, sits second on the team in targets, and the coaching staff likely still has a use for the 6-foot-4 wideout.
Regardless of what happens in these next few days, the Florida State alum has put himself in the hot seat. A year and a half into Coleman’s career, the next few weeks could determine his future with the organization that drafted him 33rd overall.
Photo Courtesy: buffalobills.com