The Bills fully planned to add Leodis McKelvin to the team's 53-man roster not long after he returned to practice with the team two weeks ago. What the team likely didn't anticipate was who they would be moving off the roster to make room for the veteran defensive back. Buffalo placed WR Percy Harvin on injured reserve effectively ending his first season with the Bills.
The wide receiver battled a persistent hip injury since training camp. From platelet rich plasma injections to sitting out Wednesday practices, Harvin and the Bills medical and athletic training staff did everything they could to keep the game breaking wideout on the field. Just this week however, a new knee injury surfaced that kept him out of practice all week and the team felt it was best to shut him down for the rest of the 2015 season.
All told Harvin's first season with Buffalo saw him appear in just five games. He had 19 receptions for 218 yards and a touchdown. Harvin also had five carries for 31 yards and five kick returns for 108 yards.
The loss of Harvin takes another speed element out of Buffalo's receiving corps. The Bills already placed speed receiver Marquise Goodwin on injured reserve two weeks ago after he suffered fractured ribs for the second time this season.
The receivers currently on Buffalo's roster are Marcus Easley, Chris Hogan, Denarius Moore, Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods.
With the final two years of Harvin's contract voidable he could become a free agent again next spring.
McKelvin meanwhile is returning from a broken fibula suffered almost a year ago (Nov. 13th). Two surgeries were required for the injury after the defensive back suffered a setback this past summer. He is expected to be active for Sunday's game against Miami and is likely to see duty on returns and in Buffalo's secondary.
