Bills offer condolences, support to defensive tackle Ed Oliver following death of his 2-year-old son

Bills offer condolences, support to defensive tackle Ed Oliver following death of his 2-year-old son 1 of 3 | Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver arrives for an NFL football game against the Houston-texans" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="13815" data-entity-type="organization">Houston Texans, Nov. 20, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker, File) 2 of 3 | Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen walks on the sideline during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland-browns" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="118982" data-entity-type="organization">Cleveland Browns, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard) 3 of 3 | Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady stands on the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland-browns" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="118982" data-entity-type="organization">Cleveland Browns, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard) 1 of 3 | Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver arrives for an NFL football game against the Houston-texans" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="13815" data-entity-type="organization">Houston Texans, Nov. 20, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker, File) 1 of 3 Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver arrives for an NFL football game against the Houston-texans" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="13815" data-entity-type="organization">Houston Texans, Nov. 20, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 2 of 3 | Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen walks on the sideline during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland-browns" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="118982" data-entity-type="organization">Cleveland Browns, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard) 2 of 3 Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen walks on the sideline during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland-browns" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="118982" data-entity-type="organization">Cleveland Browns, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 3 of 3 | Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady stands on the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland-browns" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="118982" data-entity-type="organization">Cleveland Browns, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard) 3 of 3 Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady stands on the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland-browns" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="118982" data-entity-type="organization">Cleveland Browns, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Cleveland (AP) — The Buffalo Bills are giving defensive tackle Ed Oliver support and space following the accidental death of his 2-year-old son.Oliver has been grieving throughout training camp and many of his teammates only learned of the tragic accident on Friday. Following Saturday’s 31-7 preseason win over the Browns, Bills quarterback Josh Allen said the team is standing with Oliver.“Obviously, very unfortunate what happened and as a teammate of him, as someone in this locker room, all we can do is love on him,” Allen said. “There’s nothing that you can say to make the situation any better except being there in whatever ways he needs.“That’s what we’re going to continue to do. That’s what teammates do. You love up on each other when we’re down, and I can’t imagine what he’s going through. But the way that he’s dealt with it has been unbelievable.” Oliver has asked for privacy and prayers while still mourning his son, who was also named Ed. The toddler was pronounced dead after being found unresponsive in a residential pool in Harris County, Texas, on June 28, a person briefed on what happened told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the team and player have not revealed that information.Without providing many details including names or ages, the Harris County Sheriff’s department posted a note on its Facebook account that evening regarding the drowning of a toddler in a neighborhood community north of Houston. 1 MIN READ 1 MIN READ 1 MIN READ “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the toddler’s family during this incredibly difficult time. The investigation is ongoing,” the post read. A sheriff’s official told The Associated Press on Saturday that a report was not immediately available.Before Saturday’s game, Bills general manager Brandon Beane issued a statement expressing his and the organization’s condolences.“It’s an unthinkable tragedy for any parent. We will continue to support Ed and his family as we grieve this tragic loss,” Beane said. Bills first-year coach Joe Brady was equally compassionate toward Oliver, who is in his eighth season with Buffalo.“Ever since I found out the news, I can’t fathom what he’s going through,” Brady said. “As a coach and a father, there really aren’t words to describe it. It’s all about us loving him and giving him the privacy that he deserves.“It’s hard when I see him. I don’t have the words, but all I can do is support him in whatever way he needs.” The 28-year-old Oliver was selected by the Bills in the first round of the 2019 draft out of Houston.Oliver reported for training camp on time last month and appeared with the starters in the Bills’ preseason-opening 29-14 win over Carolina last weekend. He has not practiced this week because of an undisclosed injury.___Wawrow reported from Buffalo, New York.___See AP’s full NFL coverage here