With the Buffalo Bills already finalizing their 53-man roster, the team was not done adding to its practice squad. While they were sad to release some prominent players, it left some areas that still needed to be filled.
While the Bills are shorthanded in the wide receiver room, linebacker room, and also on the outside of the offensive line, let's take a look at three new players who could step up and help out in those areas.
3 new players who could fill the voids if needed
1.) WR Greg Dortch
Needing to fill their sixth wideout on the depth chart who could also return punts and kicks, the Bills signed the speedy Greg Dortch as a new member of their practice squad. The 5-foot-7, 183-pound athlete was born in Rochester, New York, so it feels like he's coming home along with his family to Orchard Park.
In his rookie season, he played in two games with the Carolina Panthers in 2019 and spent the 2020 season on the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad. Dortch spent four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals from 2021-25, and his connection to current Bills special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers highlights his steady development in the league.
The impactful receiver caught 145 passes for 1,310 yards and 10 touchdowns before signing with the Detroit Lions in the 2026 offseason. He now reunites with Rodgers and brings his return skills to the team if needed.
2.) OT Jedrick Wills Jr.
Perhaps the biggest signing yet to the practice squad. Jedrick Wills Jr. is not only a big man for a swing tackle, but he was also a huge draft selection when the Cleveland Browns selected him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-4, 307-pound lineman may not have lived up to his 2020 first-round selection, but he continues to stand taller and play stronger than his frame would suggest, similar to current starting guard Alec Anderson.
With Anderson now starting at guard, Wills Jr. can now start practicing as potentially the next undersized but tough swing tackle who could replace Anderson's duties and be that sixth swing tackle in jumbo packages.
3.) LB Shaq Thompson
Shaq Thompson's journey back to the Bills via the practice squad shows his resilience and commitment to his coaches and teammates. He started his career with the Carolina Panthers in 2015, when former Bills head coach Sean McDermott was the defensive coordinator.
In 2025, he reunited with McDermott and was one of the few bright spots in the Bills' underwhelming linebacker corps. At 6-foot, 230 pounds, he totaled 56 tackles (33 solo, 23 assisted), with 1.0 sack and 1 forced fumble.
In 2026, the Bills fired McDermott, promoted Brady to head coach and switched to a 3-4 defense. This allowed Thompson to return to the practice squad just days before Week 1 against the Houston Texans.
Let's see if these three enticing practice-squad players can bring their skills to the team if their names are called up to the 53-man roster.
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