Keon Coleman benched: NFL insider pulls back curtain on Bills WR punishment for TNF vs. Texans

An NFL insider just shared an update on Buffalo Bills WR Keon Coleman, who was benched for the Thursday Night Football game against the Houston Texans. On the broadcast, Kaylee Hartung explained why the Bills benched Coleman for the second consecutive game.

“(Bills head coach) Sean McDermott told us the most frustrating and disappointing part of this situation is that Sunday’s benching of Keon Coleman was not the first time that he’s had to discipline him in this way, and it turns out, it’s not the last,” Hartung said. “Coleman will be inactive again tonight, which seems especially damning considering the Bills are down two other receivers with Curtis Samuel and Mecole Hardman both injured.

“‘One day at a time,’ McDermott said. Coleman has got to earn the trust and respect of his teammates. This week, I’m told Coleman was on time, in meetings, and as Dion Dawkins said, ‘Well, that’s positive.’ Dawkins also said Coleman’s gotta grow up.”

Sean McDermott appreciates Keon Coleman taking responsibility

Coleman was inactive for the Bills’ win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 11 after being late for a team meeting last Friday. It was the third time in his two-year career that Coleman missed game time for disciplinary reasons.

After the game, Coleman spoke and took responsibility for being late to the team meeting. “I’m aware of how he handled it more publicly, and I appreciate that and respect that,” McDermott said Tuesday, per ESPN. “And now it’s again, one day at a time, and earning the trust and respect of the teammates. And that takes time, so that each day that goes by, you check ’em off as wins, trust builds. So, that’s the important piece of it.”

The Bills selected Coleman in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, the former Florida State receiver caught 29 passes for 556 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games. This year, Coleman has tallied 32 receptions for 330 yards and three touchdowns in nine games.

Coleman spent one season at Florida State after spending two seasons at Michigan State. In 2023, Coleman was selected to the All-ACC First Team after catching 50 passes for 658 yards and 11 TDs.