Buffalo Bills Add LB Otis Reese IV, Release CB Jalen Kimber

Otis Reese IV is a 6’4″, 214-pound linebacker who has spent time with the Tennessee Titans.  Reese played in 20 games for the Titans during the 2023 and 2024 seasons.  During his NFL career, Reese has recorded 20 solo tackles, 18 assists, two quarterback hurries, a pass deflection, and an interception.

Before beginning his NFL career, Reese competed at the University of Georgia (2018-2019) and the University of Mississippi (2020-2022). While with the Bulldogs, Reese played 25 games and tallied nine solo tackles and seven assists. After transferring to Ole Miss, Reese appeared in 29 games, recording 4.5 quarterback sacks, 82 solo tackles, and 117 assists.

Reese exemplifies the type of player Bills GM Brandon Beane values during the season. Reese can seamlessly step into the lineup if there is an urgent need at that position later in the year. Recently, the Bills have frequently required multiple linebackers to replace injured players in that role.

Currently, linebacker Matt Milano remains off the injured reserve list despite his pectoral injury. Signing Reese to the practice squad signals the Bills’ front office anticipates Milano’s potential move. Balancing roster management between freeing a spot and adding talent, while allowing Milano time to recover, remains a delicate task.

On the other hand, Milano has had his season shortened by injuries several times over the last five seasons.  With that in mind, the Bills could be building up their linebacker unit and then make a move to trade Milano, getting some value out of the player.  Rather than continually needing to manage the player’s injury situation and getting no value from the investment that the team is making into that often-injured player.

Along with signing linebacker Otis Reece IV to their practice roster, the Bills have also made the decision to release cornerback Jalen Kimber.  Early this season, Kimber spent time with the Tennessee Titans before joining the Bills’ practice roster.  Kimber played five seasons of college football at the University of Georgia (2020-2021), the University of Florida (2022-2023), and Penn State (2024).

In contrast with the Bills’ linebacker position, he decision to release Kimber indicates that Buffalo is comfortable with their depth at the defensive back position. Overall, the Bills’ depth chart shows that Buffalo is deep at the defensive back position, even with 1st round draft pick Maxwell Hairston still on the injured reserve list.  That means that when Hairston is ready to come back, the Bills will likely need to reduce at least one more defensive back from their roster to make room for Hairston.

While moving on from Kimber could be an indication of Hairston’s return in the near future, there is no supporting evidence to suggest that Hairston’s return is imminent.  The more likely purpose for reducing Kimber from the practice roster is to make room for more depth at the defensive line or linebacker due to the injury issues at those positions.