A circular stapling device comprising: a handle assembly including a firing trigger ; an elongate body supported by the handle assembly, the elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a shell assembly supported on the distal portion of the elongate body, the shell assembly including a shell housing defining a cavity, a staple cartridge supported on the shell housing, a pusher defining a longitudinal bore, a knife carrier movable within the longitudinal bore, and a knife supported on the knife carrier, the staple cartridge supporting a plurality of staples and the pusher being movable within the cavity of the shell housing from a retracted position to an advanced position to eject the plurality of staples from the staple cartridge; and an anvil assembly supported on the distal portion of the elongate body and being movable in relation to the shell assembly between open and clamped positions; wherein the knife carrier engages the pusher and is movable between a retracted position and an intermediate position to move the pusher from its retracted position to its advanced position and subsequently movable from its intermediate position to an advanced position independently of the pusher to advance the knife to cut tissue; wherein the knife carrier includes at least one tab , the at least one tab being configured to be movable from a first position engaged with the pusher to translate distal movement of the knife carrier to distal movement of the pusher, to a second position to allow distal advancement of the knife carrier independently of the pusher; wherein each of the at least one tabs is supported on a resilient arm . a handle assembly including a firing trigger ; an elongate body supported by the handle assembly, the elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a shell assembly supported on the distal portion of the elongate body, the shell assembly including a shell housing defining a cavity, a staple cartridge supported on the shell housing, a pusher defining a longitudinal bore, a knife carrier movable within the longitudinal bore, and a knife supported on the knife carrier, the staple cartridge supporting a plurality of staples and the pusher being movable within the cavity of the shell housing from a retracted position to an advanced position to eject the plurality of staples from the staple cartridge; and an anvil assembly supported on the distal portion of the elongate body and being movable in relation to the shell assembly between open and clamped positions; wherein the knife carrier engages the pusher and is movable between a retracted position and an intermediate position to move the pusher from its retracted position to its advanced position and subsequently movable from its intermediate position to an advanced position independently of the pusher to advance the knife to cut tissue; wherein the knife carrier includes at least one tab , the at least one tab being configured to be movable from a first position engaged with the pusher to translate distal movement of the knife carrier to distal movement of the pusher, to a second position to allow distal advancement of the knife carrier independently of the pusher; wherein each of the at least one tabs is supported on a resilient arm . <EOS>