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HC Sean McDermott Hands Down Harsh Punishment After Bills Rookie Arrives at Practice Intoxicated Before NFL Season Opener

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Keleki Latu - Football - University of Nevada Athletics

Buffalo, NY – September 5, 2025

The Buffalo Bills sent a sharp reminder this week: discipline comes before potential. Rookie tight end Keleki Latu, a 2025 undrafted signing who earned a practice squad spot, has been fined and sanctioned internally after arriving at practice under the influence following a late-night outing.

Sources confirmed that Latu was seen at a downtown Buffalo bar on Thursday night, socializing well into the early hours. When he showed up to the team facility on Friday morning, coaches and teammates immediately noticed a lack of focus and energy.

Head coach Sean McDermott was notified quickly — and wasted no time laying down the law.

“This is the Buffalo Bills. Professionalism and accountability are non-negotiable. If you can’t handle yourself off the field, you won’t earn the chance to step on it,” McDermott said.

Latu has been fined under the team’s code of conduct and ordered to attend accountability sessions. He has been removed from preparations for the Week 1 season opener and now faces real questions about his long-term future in Buffalo.

At Alabama, Latu flashed upside as a versatile tight end with size and hands to create mismatches, earning just enough attention to secure an NFL opportunity. But in a league as demanding as the NFL, one off-field mistake can jeopardize a career before it begins.

Veteran Bills players emphasized the decision wasn’t about singling him out but about protecting the standard. “The culture here is real. If Keleki wants to last, this has to be his wake-up call,” one teammate said privately.

Fans on X were divided. Some blasted the rookie — “You’re fighting for a job, not celebrating one. Wake up.” Others showed patience, pointing to his raw talent and potential role as a developmental tight end.

For McDermott, the message was unmistakable: the Bills’ culture comes first. By imposing both financial and disciplinary punishment, he reinforced the franchise’s identity — in Buffalo, you earn your helmet by your habits, not just your highlights.

As the season approaches, Keleki Latu now faces a crossroads: will this stumble define his path, or fuel a stronger comeback?

Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side