Samuel secured one of three targets for two yards during Buffalo's 33-30 divisional-round overtime loss to the Broncos on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Samuel missed the final seven games of the regular season, as well as the Bills' wild-card win over Jacksonville, due to an elbow injury, but he managed to return from IR in time to face off against Denver. With all of Joshua Palmer (ankle), Tyrell Shavers (knee) and Gabe Davis (knee) having been placed on IR in advance of the AFC divisional round, Samuel got a chance to handle an increased role on offense, playing 44 percent of the offensive snaps. Unsurprisingly, after he managed only a 7-81-1 line on nine targets across six regular-season appearances earlier in the year, he was unable to capitalize on the opportunity. Though Samuel remains under contract for one more year, Buffalo has a potential out in his deal this offseason for only $3.45 million in dead cap.

Samuel (elbow) is active for Saturday's divisional-round game at Denver, Alec White of the Bills' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Samuel thus will be available to Buffalo's offense for the first time since Week 11 after a lengthy IR stint, and the timing of his activation couldn't have come at a better time after all of Joshua Palmer (ankle), Tyrell Shavers (knee) and Gabe Davis (knee) landed on injured reserve in the past week. Along with Khalil Shakir, Brandin Cooks, Keon Coleman and Mecole Hardman, Samuel will be one of the options at wide receiver available to QB Josh Allen, but he muster only a 7-81-1 line on nine targets in six appearances earlier this season.

Buffalo activated Samuel (elbow) from injured reserve Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Samuel remains listed as questionable for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Broncos, but his activation would seem to indicate Samuel will be ready to play. With Joshua Palmer (ankle) placed on injured reserve last week and both Gabe Davis (knee) and Tyrell Shavers (knee) lost to season-ending injuries last Sunday against the Jaguars, Samuel's return will be big news for the Bills. If cleared to play, Samuel will slide into the wideout mix alongside Khalil Shakir, Brandin Cooks and Keon Coleman.

Samuel (elbow) will practice in full Thursday and will be listed as questionable for Saturday's divisional-round matchup against the Broncos, Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old from Ohio State has missed the Bills' last eight games due to an elbow injury, but following a week of full practice sessions, he's got a chance to return for the divisional round. Across six appearances this season, Samuel has caught seven of nine targets for 81 yards and a touchdown while also accumulating 223 kick return yards. If Samuel is added to Buffalo's active roster in time to play Saturday, he'll likely operate as one of the team's top wideouts, as Joshua Palmer (ankle), Tyrell Shavers (knee) and Gabe Davis (knee) are all on IR.

Samuel (elbow) was a full participant during Tuesday's walkthrough practice.

EDGE Analysis

Samuel has been sidelined for the Bills' last eight games (including Sunday's wild-card win against the Jaguars) due to an elbow injury. His full participation in his return to practice Tuesday is an encouraging sign and puts Samuel on track to being activated from injured reserve ahead of Saturday's AFC divisional-round game against the Broncos. The return would be timely, given that both Tyrell Shaves and Gabe Davis tore their ACLs against Jacksonville.

The Bills designated Samuel (elbow/neck) for return from injured reserve Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Samuel is scheduled to practice Tuesday in some fashion for the first time since Week 11, after missing the last eight games. Given the length of his layoff, Samuel may not have a realistic shot of playing in Saturday's divisional-round game in Denver. However, if he is available this weekend, Samuel could play meaningful snaps right off the bat after Tyrell Shavers suffered a knee injury and Gabe Davis tore his ACL tear in the wild-card round.

Samuel (elbow) is expected to have his practice window to return from injured reserve opened, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Samuel has been on injured reserve since Nov. 28, but he will be eligible to rejoin his teammates at practice as the Bills prepare to travel to Denver for the AFC divisional round Saturday. Gabe Davis tore his ACL in the wild-card win over the Jaguars, and Tyrell Shavers suffered a knee injury that is still being evaluated, so if Samuel proves healthy enough to return this weekend, the latter could have a meaningful role in a receiving corps that also includes Khalil Shakir, Brandin Cooks and Keon Coleman.

Samuel (elbow) will not have his 21-day practice window opened ahead of the Bills' AFC wild-card game against the Jaguars on Sunday, Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Samuel landed on injured reserve in late November due to an elbow injury, and he hasn't progressed enough in his recovery to return for the opening round of the AFC playoffs. Samuel was a healthy inactive for the first three weeks of the regular season, but when he did play, he was often listed on the injury report with different ailments. He appeared in just six regular-season games for Buffalo and logged seven catches (on nine targets) for 81 yards and a touchdown while returning nine kickoffs for 223 yards.

The Bills placed Samuel (elbow) on injured reserve Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Samuel will now need to miss at least four games while on IR before being eligible to return to the active roster. The move was coupled with the signing of wide receiver Gabe Davis from the practice squad. The Tuesday signing of Brandin Cooks likely also plays a role in the team's decision to move Samuel to IR. The wide receiver participated in six regular-season games this season where he totaled seven receptions for 81 yards and one receiving touchdown.

Samuel (elbow/knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Samuel, who was also inactive Week 12, will target a potential return to action Sunday, Dec. 7 against the Bengals. With seven catches (on nine targets) for 81 yards and a TD in six games to date, Samuel is off the fantasy radar, though his continued absence this weekend will impact Buffalo's kick return game.