Buffalo Bills Practice Squad Hits Maximum of 10 Players
By Ryan Brennan
Up until now, the Buffalo Bills practice squad stood at six people. Since then, the team has signed the final four players to the squad. Who else was added?
The Buffalo Bills announced the first two signings to the team’s practice squad on Monday.
They chose to bring back familiar faces in kicker Jordan Gay and wide receiver Dezmin Lewis. Both players were battling with other players for a spot on the roster and needless to say, neither cracked the 53-man roster.
The next announcement came the following day, when the team added four more players to the practice squad. A mix of familiar faces and new talent, they signed cornerback Doran Grant, LB Max Valles, G Gabe Ikard and wide receiver Matt Hazel.
Bills’ fans probably remember Gabe Ikard and Max Valles. Valles was a part of the team during training camp, but failed to make the 53-man roster. Ikard has spent time with the Bills, before moving on to the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions. He was suited up for the Lions during their 31-0 preseason victory over our Bills.
Grant is a young cornerback that has game experience with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although he didn’t accrue any stats in the three games he appeared in last season, he brings depth to a position that hopefully doesn’t need it. Another young player, Matt Hazel also has game experience. He played in five games with the Miami Dolphins, but also didn’t accrue any stats.
With their latest announcement, the team has announced that they have now filled out their 2016 Buffalo Bills practice squad roster — at least for now. With a total of 10 players allowed, who were the new four signings the team made?
We start with Carlos Fields, a linebacker that has game experience with the Washington Redskins last season. He entered the league as an undrafted free agent when the Oakland Raiders added him in 2014. At 6-foot-1 and 248 pounds, he will add depth to a linebacker group that has been taking hits constantly — it should be the other way around.
Next, we have cornerback Marcus Roberson. He entered the league as an undrafted free agent as well, spending his first two years in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams. With the Rams, he suited up for 25 games in his stint with the team and recorded a total of 39 tackles. He also has recorded an interception. He will join Doran Grant as the other cornerback on the practice squad.
The ninth signing, which was announced today, was defensive tackle Deandre Coleman. Like Matt Hazel, Coleman has played in five games for the Miami Dolphins in his two-year career after joining the league as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars. At 6-foot-5 and 341 pounds, he’s a big boy that could add valuable depth to the nose tackle position.
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The Buffalo Bills practice squad was finally filled out after they announced the signing of tight end Gerald Christian. With Chris Gragg — who would’ve been the team’s primary backup tight end — out for the season with a torn ACL, the Bills don’t have the necessary depth needed at tight end for an effective Greg Roman offense.
The addition of Christian gives the Bills a “move” tight end that will fit well in this offense if called upon. Although he won’t be asked to block much, he brings a great receiver-presence to the team. We could be seeing more of him in the event of a Charles Clay injury. Let’s hope that doesn’t occur.
With the recent announcements, here’s what the team’s practice squad looks like with the full 10 players:
The Buffalo Bills head to Baltimore to take on the Ravens as the regular season finally comes to a beginning. The game starts at 1 pm on Sunday.
What has been your favorite signing to the Buffalo Bills practice squad? Leave your comments below!