The Buffalo Bills have released defensive back Dane Jackson as the Tuesday deadline for a finalized 53-man roster draws closer. Jackson, a six year veteran who re-signed with the team this offseason after a stint with the Carolina Panthers back in 2024, once again lands off the team. He was drafted by Buffalo in 2020 out of Pitt, but never got his footing as a bonafide starting option for team.
The move, which was reported on by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, comes after a lackluster training camp and preseason for the veteran. He could've been a servicable backup to Christian Benford in theory, but clearly, the Bills didn't feel the same. As the team looks to square away another contending roster to surround Josh Allen with, Jackson finds himself sacrificed.
It's a big of a head scratching move from the perspective of injuries plaguing the Bills' secondary. Tre'Davious White, another returning Bills defender, looked primed to be the starting LCB for the team prior to suffering what the team is calling a lower leg injury during training camp. White and rookie Maxwell Hairston have both been dealing with injuries in camp, which makes Jackson getting cut all the stranger.
Bills cut ties with Jackson (again)
Jackson returned to the Bills this offseason on a one year, $1.3 million dollar deal. He only suited up for nine games with the Panthers, recording just two passes defended and 23 tackles over that time. His best year as a defender came in 2022, when he had 12 passes defended, three stuffs, and 57 tackles in 15 games played.
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Now, Buffalo is going to likely need some major health luck on their side as it pertains to both Benford and Damar Hamlin, who is still with the team as of now as Benford's next backup on the right side of the field. Hamlin also didn't have a great preseason, but because Buffalo needs to be conscious of how many healthy defenders they're rostering headed into Week 1, they may keep Hamlin on.
Buffalo allowed 341.5 yards per game in 2024, with 226.1 of those yards coming in the air. Their secondary was missing a clear sidekick to Benford last season, and the defense overall was their weakest unit compared to the high octane offense they had led by Allen. They have to hope that White, Benford, Shaw Thompson, Terrel Bernard, and others step up with Buffalo's contention window beginning to shrink.