Buffalo Bills sign two offensive linemen as starters hit COVID-19 list

The Buffalo Bills are already bringing in reinforcements for the offensive line in training camp.

On Thursday, the Buffalo Bills announced that they have signed two free agent offensive linemen. One of them had been a former Bill. Marquel Harrel was a part of the team’s roster last season after going undrafted, and also spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders. The second player is Tyler Gauthier (pictured), who has spent time with the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots.

This comes after starting offensive linemen Dion Dawkins and Ike Boettger started camp on the COVID-reserve list. Both Harrel and Gauthier should just be holdovers until Dawkins and Boettger can return from the COVID-reserve list.

Harrrel was a great left guard for the Auburn Tigers, where he started 31 games and was a third-team All-SEC selection. It’ll be interesting to see if he can impress the Bills coaching staff on his second time with the team.

Gauthier has more experience, and having been with 3 NFL teams should help him get his foot in the door. The third-year center out of the University of Miami has a history of being flexible on the offensive line. While he played most center during his collegiate days, he did make a stop at every single offensive line position in high school.

Yes, high school is what it is. But Gauthier’s flexibility may just help him learn to be a decent backup left tackle behind Dawkins and 2021 5th-round pick Tommy Doyle. It’s quite a jump, but we’ve seen cornerbacks become wide receivers and quarterbacks transition to tight ends in the recent past (think Devin Hester and Tim Tebow).

For Dawkins and Boettger to return, they will need two negative COVID-19 tests that are taken 24 hours apart (they are both vaccinated). The time with the team could be short for Gauthier and Harrel, but this is exactly what camp bodies are for.