By Evan MasseyShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Buffalo Bills are currently in the middle of their Week 12 matchup against the Houston Texans on Thursday Night Football. At halftime, they trailed the Texans by a score of 20-16.
Ahead of tonight's game, the Bills made a surprising decision to bench second-year wide receiver Keon Coleman for the second straight game.
Coleman has had issues with showing up late to team meetings. That wasn't going to fly with head coach Sean McDermott. He was benched for Week 11 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but seeing him benched for a second consecutive game was a stunner.
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Despite the benching, Coleman is expected to return to the Buffalo offense in the near future. It's clear that McDermott wanted to make a clear point to the young wide receiver.
...With that being said, one Bills legend took to social media to send a powerful message to Coleman. Andre Reed, an all-time great wide receiver, shared a great outlook for Coleman.
"Please know I believe @keoncoleman6 ‘s time is coming…. Took me till year 3. I know the WR position better then most on the planet," Reed wrote on X.
Throughout the first nine games the 22-year-old wide receiver has played this year, he has caught 32 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns. Those numbers are nowhere close to the production that Buffalo had hoped to see him produce.
Many expected Coleman to have a breakout year in his second NFL season. He was expected to become a go-to target for superstar quarterback Josh Allen.
Whether the issues have to do with Coleman not taking his role seriously or simply a slower development process than expected, the Bills need to see something change. They badly need Coleman to figure things out and become the kind of player he's capable of being.
Read more: Cam Newton Fires Shedeur Sanders Accusation at Browns’ Kevin Stefanski
Only time will tell what the future has in store for Coleman. He clearly has one big believer in him with Reed's message. Hopefully, the legend is right and the future is indeed bright for the former Florida State standout.
Following the matchup against the Texans, Buffalo is scheduled to face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road in Week 13. Perhaps Coleman will be back on the field for that contest.
For more on the Buffalo Bills and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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