Amari Cooper returns to the team and completes full training

Wide receiver Amari Cooper has returned to the Buffalo Bills.

Cooper returned from a four-day absence from the team due to a family matter, Bills coach Sean McDermott said Wednesday.

“Amari is back,” McDermott said.

The five-time Pro Bowl wideout was a full participant in Buffalo’s walkthrough training.

Cooper practiced in full before the Bills’ regular-season finale in New England but was downgraded to out Saturday. He did not travel with Buffalo for personal reasons and was inactive.

Cooper wasn’t back when McDermott spoke to the media on Monday, but the head coach expressed cautious optimism that the midseason trade acquisition would return to playoff preparation.

Buffalo (13-4) hosts the Denver Broncos (10-7) in the AFC Wild Card Round on Sunday at Highmark Stadium at 1 p.m.

Return specialist Brandon Codrington was unable to practice on Wednesday due to a hamstring injury.

Codrington’s 313 punt return yards on 27 attempts (11.6 average) are the fourth-most in the NFL. He has returned 11 of Buffalo’s 24 kickoff returns, averaging 27.8. Ray Davis (7), Ty Johnson (5) and Mack Hollins (1) are the other Bills who have returned kicks. Hollins’ onside kick almost returned the favor for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions in Week 15.

“(Codrington’s) been our main returner all year,” McDermott said. “We’ll deal with it, one way or another.” If he can go, great. If he can’t, we’ll find something.”

Backup cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram was excused from the team due to a personal family situation and was unable to practice on Wednesday.

Buffalo and Denver each have four players on the reserve list, which is the fewest of any team in the league.

NFL teams must file a practice attendance report on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for a Sunday game. There are three levels of exercise participation that can be set: no participation, limited participation and full participation.

For Sunday games, a game status report must be submitted by Friday 5:00 p.m.

Here is the Bills vs. Broncos playoff injury report:

Buffalo Bills playoff injury update

Amari Cooper, WR, personal

Amari Cooper was downgraded to out the day before Buffalo’s game against New England. He did not travel with the team and was excused in Week 18 for family reasons.

Status: Returned to the team on Wednesday and became a full participant

Brandon Codrington, RET/CB, hamstring

Brandon Codrington suffered a hamstring injury in the loss to the Patriots.

“Codrington has been a little lame with a hamstring injury, so we’ll get more information on that,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Monday. “According to the information from our medical team, it is still a little early, so we will take it one day at a time.”

Codrington played a season-high 27 defensive snaps and made a season-best four tackles against New England. He added two kickoff returns for a 31.0 average.

Status: Didn’t train on Wednesday

Terrel Bernard, LB, quadriceps

Terrel Bernard missed the final game of the regular season due to a quadriceps injury.

Bills coach Sean McDermott reiterated that Bernard should return for the playoffs.

“Based on the information I received from our medical staff towards the end of the week, I think he is moving in the right direction,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Monday. I’m worried.”

Status: Full training on Wednesday

Curtis Samuel, WR, rib

Curtis Samuel returned after a two-game absence and led Buffalo with seven receptions for 52 yards against the Patriots.

Status: Full training on Wednesday

Damar Hamlin, S, rib

Damar Hamlin returned after missing three games and recorded six tackles against New England.

Status: Full training on Wednesday

Ja’Marcus Ingram, CB, personal

Status: Didn’t train on Wednesday

Injured reserve

The following Bills players are on injured reserve:

Travis Clayton, OT, shoulder
Shane Buechele, QB, neck
Tommy Doyle, OT, knee
Baylon Spector, LB

Frank Crum, OT, illness

Frank Crum was unable to play against Kansas City in Week 18 due to an illness. Crum missed three days of practice leading up to the game.

Tyler Badie, RB, back

Tyler Badie has been on injured reserve since suffering a back injury in Week 4 against the New York Jets that sent him to the hospital for evaluation.

Denver opened Badie’s 21-day practice window on December 24th. The third-year running back completed a full week of practice prior to Week 18 but was not activated from injured reserve.

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Amari Cooper returns to the team and completes full training

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