ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — Several of the players released by the Bills before the NFL deadline to from an initial 53-man roster are returning to the team’s practice squad, along with two veteran mainstays on defense.
Safety Jordan Poyer and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips were among the 16 practice squad signings the team signed on Wednesday. Including cornerback Dane Jackson, the Bills practice squad features three defenders who have combined to play 220 games for the team.
“We have a lot of history with both of those guys, both of them have had great impacts here,” Bills general manager Brandon Beane said. “First off on the field, but as you guys know, culture, character, leadership, all those things, you can’t find enough guys like that. When you’ve got guys in this case who have given so much and been a part of the success we’ve had here that want to come back and be on the practice squad, prepare themselves to play if and when called on, but also mentor guys around them, young guys, young vets, whatever it is.”
Buffalo also signed safety Sam Franklin, who has experience playing special teams under new coordinator Chris Tabor for the Carolina Panthers. Franklin spent training camp with the Denver Broncos.
“He’s one of those classic players,” Beane said. “Tough. He’s a safety by position, but he’s made his name on special teams in this league. And so a standout gunner, kick cover player. And so he’s a guy that, as of yesterday, you start hearing came available as the cuts were occurring.”
The rest of the practice squad is made up of players who spent training camp with the Bills: QB Shane Buechele, RB Frank Gore Jr., WR Stephen Gosnell, WR Kristian Wilkerson, TE Keleki Latu, OL Travis Clayton, OL Dan Feeney, OL Kendrick Green, DL Zion Logue, DL Jordan Phillips, LB Jimmy Ciarlo, LB Keonta Jenkins, CB Daequan Hardy.
Notable names released by the Bills who were not re-signed to the practice squad: QB Mike White, WR KJ Hamler, WR/KR Laviska Shenault Jr., TE/P Zach Davidson, LB Edefuan Ulofoshio, S Darrick Forest.
Injury update
Beane did not provide specific information on cornerback Tre’Davious White’s injury in practice last week, but said he has not ruled out the projected starter from playing in Buffalo’s opening game against Baltimore on Sept. 8.
“We’re rehabbing him as much as we can,” Beane said. “Tre’s got a great attitude, he’s attacking it. Really other than that, we’re just going to take it day by day, I guess, and kind of see where that goes. I’m sure as we get into next week, Wednesday I think is the first day an injury report will be due, so we’ll see what it is, whether he can practice any or not, or what that looks like at that time.”
Leading receiver Khalil Shakir returned to the practice field Wednesday for the first time since he sustained a high-ankle sprain on Aug. 1.
Top cornerback Christian Benford did not participate in practice, for unknown reasons.
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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.