Dominic Rhodes was not only expected to play a significant role in the Bills' offense this season, he was expected to be the No. 2 back behind Fred Jackson for the first three weeks as Marshawn Lynch is serving a suspension for violating the league's personal-conduct policy.
Instead, Rhodes surprisingly finds himself among those cut as NFL rosters were trimmed to the mandatory 53 on Saturday.
Along with Rhodes, the Bills released QB Matt Baker, LB Alvin Bowen, DE Copeland Bryan, OL Kirk Chambers, TE Tyson DeVree, DE Ataefiok Etukeren, OL Christian Gaddis, RB Bruce Hall, CB Cary Harris, WR C.J. Hawthorne, OL Nick Hennessey, WR Felton Huggins, DT Derrick Jones, DT Corey Mace, LB Ryan Manalac and TE Jonathan Stupar.
The roster moves come one day after coach Dick Jauron fired offensive coordinator Turk Schonert, who will be replaced by QB coach Alex Van Pelt.