A circular surgical stapling device includes a reload assembly that issupported on adistal end of an elongate shaft of the stapling device. The reload assemblyincludes a housing,a pusher assembly movably supported within the housing, a knife carriermovably supportedwithin the pusher assembly, and an annular knife supported on the knifecarrier. The elongatebody includes a pusher drive member and a knife carrier pusher. The knifecarrier includesfirst engagement structure that is configured to releasably engage secondengagementstructure formed on the knife carrier pusher to releasably couple the knifecarrier pusher tothe knife carrier. A reload insert or member is supported on or integrallyformed with thehousing of the reload assembly. The reload member includes a first portionconfigured toprevent separation of the first and second engagement structures and a secondportionconfigured to accommodate separation of the first and second engagementstructures. Thereload member minimizes the likelihood of premature disengagement of the knifecarrierfrom the knife carrier pusher while minimizing the force required to effectseparation afterthe knife has been fully retracted into the housing.
