Buffalo Bills announce death of defensive tackle Ed Oliver's two-year-old son

Organizational statement and condolence

The Buffalo Bills announced on Saturday that starting defensive tackle Ed Oliver is mourning the death of his two-year-old son, Ed Oliver III. General manager Brandon Beane issued an organizational statement ahead of the team's preseason game against the Cleveland Browns in Ohio. The franchise confirmed the bereavement publicly while declining to release further specific circumstances surrounding the child's passing. Oliver and his representatives requested privacy and prayers from the public and media following the announcement. Beane affirmed that the team will provide ongoing support to the player and his family during this period.

On behalf of the entire Buffalo Bills organization, we want to publicly express our condolences to Ed Oliver and his family on the devastating loss of his son. It's an unthinkable tragedy for any parent. We will continue to support Ed and his family as we all grieve this tragic loss.

Circumstances of the Texas incident

The two-year-old toddler died on 28 June 2026 after being found unresponsive in a residential swimming pool in Huffman, Texas. Emergency services in Harris County transported the child from the family residence to a local medical center, where medical staff pronounced him dead. A person briefed on the matter confirmed the details on condition of anonymity because the family and franchise had not publicly disclosed them at the time. The Houston Chronicle initially covered the fatal incident in late June without naming the toddler, before reporting his identity on Saturday afternoon. The Harris County Sheriff's Office published a notice on Facebook on the evening of the incident confirming an inquiry into a toddler drowning in a neighborhood community north of Houston.

This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the toddler's family during this incredibly difficult time. The investigation is ongoing.

A department official and dispatchers indicated on Saturday that official reports were not immediately ready for public release.

Timeline of team activities and roster status

Oliver reported to the Buffalo Bills training camp on schedule in July, several weeks after the incident occurred in Texas. He participated in regular team activities and lined up with the defensive starters during the opening exhibition contest against the Carolina Panthers. Buffalo won that matchup 29-14 as Oliver took his standard defensive snaps with the first-team unit. He subsequently sat out team practices throughout the following week while managing an undisclosed injury. Oliver did not participate in Buffalo's scheduled joint practice session against the Browns on Thursday.

Professional background and schedule ahead

The Bills ruled Oliver out of Saturday's exhibition game at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland as he remained away from the lineup. The 28-year-old defensive lineman is entering his eighth season in Buffalo, having played exclusively for the Bills throughout his professional career. The organization selected him in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft following his collegiate career at the University of Houston, located in his hometown area. Team officials have not established a public schedule for Oliver's return to practice ahead of the 2026 NFL regular season.