The Buffalo Bills surprisingly released tight end Matthew Mulligan on Tuesday, while promoting tight end Nick O'Leary from the practice squad.
Mulligan, a blocking tight end who played three seasons (2009-2011) for Rex Ryan with the New York Jets, had started five games this season alongside top tight end Charles Clay. After being signed at the end of mandatory June minicamp, Mulligan won the Bills' No. 2 tight end job and played in 26 percent of offensive snaps, the second most on the team at his position.
Mulligan was in the Bills' locker room Tuesday morning and had developed a bond with teammate Richie Incognito this season, as both players often stayed after meetings to play ping-pong.