Buffalo Bills make some minor roster moves

The Buffalo Bills recently made a slew of minor roster moves, releasing two players, adding two more, and trying out another.

The Buffalo Bills continue to shape their roster as they inch closer to the end of OTAs. The team announced on Wednesday, via their website, that they are releasing TE Moral Stephens and DT Quindarious Thornguard, swapping them for TE Nate Becker and DT L.T Walton. In addition, they worked out former Tampa Bay Buccanneers seventh-round pick DT Stevie Tu’ikolovatu, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.

Becker, a 6-foot-5, 260-pound tight end, went undrafted coming out of Miami of Ohio this year. He signed with the Detroit Lions post-draft and was released following rookie mini-camps. In his junior year, he caught a career-high 13 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown in seven games.

A sixth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015, Walton has a bit of experience in the NFL. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound defensive interior lineman played in 36 regular season games with the Steelers and started four. He was utilized as a rotational piece in the Steelers’ 3-4 defensive line. In 2017, he had his best season as a pro, tallying two sacks, 12 total tackles, and three QB hits.

Tu’ikolovatu was released last week by the Buccanneers after spending two years there. His rookie year was cut short after being placed on injured reserve. The next year, he tore a tricep before the regular season and was subsequently placed back on injured reserve. He was noted as a powerful run-stuffer coming out of USC, yet was labeled as small due to a 6-foot-1, 320-pound frame. The Bills have not yet signed him.

The two additions, two subtractions, and tryout shouldn’t make much of an impact on the Bills opening day roster. These are likely camp bodies, but both Walton and Tu’ikolovatu, if signed, may be intriguing. But the Bills depth at interior defensive line isn’t an issue, and neither is at tight end, paving way for a potential practice squad invite for the additions.