FILE - Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase huddles with the offense during an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt, File)

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills activated defensive tackle Ed Oliver and receiver Curtis Samuel from injured reserve on Friday.

The Bills also elevated receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. and running Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad.

Oliver, a starter, has been out since Week 3 with a torn left bicep. Samuel, limited to six games during the regular season, has been out with an elbow injury. Samuel and Hardman give the banged-up Bills a fourth and fifth healthy receiver.

The AFC’s top-seeded Denver Broncos host sixth-seeded Buffalo on Saturday in a divisional playoff game.

Falcons talking

The Falcons interviewed former Raiders coach Antonio Pierce for their head coach opening, the team announced Friday.

Pierce joins a list of candidates that includes former head coaches Mike McDaniel and Kevin Stefanski, as well as current defensive coordinators Anthony Weaver (Miami), Aden Durde (Seattle), Jeff Hafley (Green Bay) and Jesse Minter (Chargers). The Falcons also interviewed Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.

Pierce stepped into a studio analyst role at CBS following a three-year stint with the Raiders. He first joined Las Vegas as a linebackers coach during the 2022-2023 season and served as the interim coach when Josh McDaniels was fired in November 2023.

After leading the team to a 5-4 record, Pierce was promoted to full time in 2024.

Browns searching

BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns are searching for a new head coach after firing Kevin Stefanski. They interviewed Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase on Friday.

Minter has been with the Chargers for two seasons and previously worked at the University of Michigan and with the Baltimore Ravens.

Scheelhaase, a former starting quarterback at Illinois, is in his second year with the Rams and previously coached at Iowa State. The Browns have interviewed eight candidates, including former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and Browns coordinators Jim Schwartz and Tommy Rees.

Big hit on TV

The NFL is seeing a significant rise in viewership, with the recent wild-card games averaging 32 million viewers. This marks a 13% increase from last year and the most-watched opening weekend since the playoffs expanded in 2020.

The regular season also saw a 10% increase, averaging 18.7 million viewers per game. Nielsen’s new Big Data + Panel methodology, which includes out-of-home viewers and smart TV data, has contributed to these numbers. The league hopes for another ratings boost during this weekend’s divisional round. Last year’s divisional matchups averaged 37.1 million viewers.

Darnold update

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is currently listed as questionable for Saturday’s playoff game against the 49ers due to an oblique injury sustained in practice this week.

However both he and coach Mike Macdonald are optimistic he will play, with Drew Lock ready as backup if needed. Darnold feels confident he’ll play, and the team is proceeding with a normal game plan while awaiting final clearance after a Saturday test.

Cap space

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Pass rushers and cap space are high on the list of the most important things successful NFL teams can never have enough of.

The Los Angeles Chargers have plenty of the latter this offseason — more than $92 million worth according to Spotrac.com — and would like to use it to maintain the former, with Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh set to reach free agency and Tuli Tuipulotu in line for a significant contract extension.

That’s the job for GM Joe Hortiz this offseason.