When Stephen Gosnell tore his ACL at Virginia Tech, he created a LinkedIn account in case his football career was over.
The undrafted rookie needs to update his bio.
With the Bills’ backup wide receiving corps decimated by injuries at training camp, Gosnell hauled in the biggest play Tuesday’s practice, a 50-yard touchdown bomb from quarterback Josh Allen.
With the Bills’ wide receiver depth chart shredded by injuries, Gosnell made the play of the day Tuesday at training camp, a 50-yard touchdown bomb from Josh Allen over two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Tre’Davious White and safety Damar Hamlin.
“It was cool,” Gosnell said. “I just ran the play they told me to run, the ball was there and I caught it. It did feel good to get that first touchdown from the best quarterback in the NFL.”
Allen hit Gosnell as he crossed the goal line and tumbled into the end zone with a backward somersault. The crowd at St. John Fisher University erupted.
Then came the spike.
“(Offensive coordinator Joe) Brady says you gotta spike the ball in the end zone, so I had to spike the ball in the end zone,” Gosnell said.
Six Bills wide receivers were out or limited Tuesday: Elijah Moore, Curtis Samuel, Tyrell Shavers, KJ Hamler, Kaden Prather and Laviska Shenault.
That opened the door for receivers like Gosnell, a 6-foot-1, 198-pound grinder who can play every receiver spot and has earned praise for his blocking, to step into the spotlight.
“These guys might’ve only gotten two reps in practice but today they’re going to be getting reps from Josh Allen,” Brady said “Look, it’s as tough as it gets right now for wideouts. We’re down, it’s the reality of it. I’m excited to see these guys roll today.”
Gosnell rolled all the way into the end zone.
“Obviously we’re really thin,” Gosnell said. “You don’t want to run guys like Khalil Shakir into the ground. Josh Palmer, Keon Coleman. So you got to rotate with them to make sure they’re OK as well. You’re expected to be as good as the person in front of you.”
He may be good enough to become a fan favorite in the preseason and earn a spot on the practice squad. The Bills have 15 wide receivers on their roster but Gosnell is used to crowded rooms. He’s the third youngest of 13 children.
“It’s what we preach. You gotta make your opportunities count and that’s what he’s been doing,” Coleman said. “He’s a great player, had a great career at (Virginia Tech) and he comes out here every day and works hard, gets his body right in the training room and the plays show.”
Gosnell played two years at North Carolina before three seasons at Virginia Tech. He tore his ACL in the Hokies’ Military Bow victory on Dec. 27, 2023. Gosnell rehabbed tenaciously and was back on the field for their Virginia Tech’s opener eight months later. He led the team with 506 receiving yards in 2024.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bills rookie goes from LinkedIn job profile to linking up with Josh Allen for touchdowns
Reporting by Ryan Miller, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
