NFL rosters must be down to 75 by 4 p.m. Tuesday. The Buffalo Bills took care of business a day early.
Headlined by the departure of kicker Dustin Hopkins and running back Ronnie Wingo, the team cut 11 players Monday to get down to the league mandate prior to its final preseason game Thursday against the Detroit Lions.
Hopkins, a sixth-round pick in last year's draft, was the only draft pick cut Monday as the team solidified its confidence in veteran kicker Dan Carpenter. The 23-year-old Hopkins was a long shot to make the squad as a kickoff specialist as Carpenter has out-shined the youngster as a placekicker since his arrival last season.
Wingo, added to the Bills roster prior to the start of last season, saw only one touch in 2013 and limited action this preseason in a crowded Bills backfield.
Other cuts Monday included safety Derek Brim, quarterback Dennis Dixon, punter Jake Dombrowski, wide receiver, Tori Gurley, safety Jajuan Harley, defensive tackle Damien Jacobs, center Macky MacPherson, wide receiver Chris Summers and guard J.J. 'Unga.
