Top Practice Squad Signings of the Buffalo Bills
Every year, the preseason makes or breaks roster spots for hundreds of football players. Teams go from up to 90 players in the preseason to 53 for the regular season, leading to tough decisions. The Bills made tough decisions by trimming down their main roster. However, they made sure to keep some notable players on their practice squad.
Frank Gore, Jr.
Arguably the most notable addition to the practice squad was Gore, who led the preseason in rushing yards among running backs. Also, Frank Gore, Sr. played on the Bills in 2019, securing his spot as the third all-time leading rusher in a Week 12 victory versus the Broncos. For Gore, Jr., it was an uphill battle to secure a roster spot as Buffalo’s backfield appears to be set. James Cook is the lead back with rookie Ray Davis and veteran Ty Johnson backing him up with Darrynton Evans on IR. Though it may seem like Gore’s on the outside looking in, Johnson was in the same position just a year ago, being on the practice squad from August to October. Soon, Johnson was elevated to the active roster and became a contributor to the Bills’ offense, garnering eight touches per game in the playoffs.
Kingsley Jonathan
Speaking of contributors from 2023, Jonathan was a solid edge rusher in the 13 games he played in. According to PFF, he finished with the sixth-highest defensive grade among all Buffalo defenders in the regular and postseason. While five tackles and zero sacks might not seem like much, it shouldn’t be overstated that he outperformed Von Miller on fewer snaps. Jonathan has been a reliable rotational piece for Sean McDermott’s defense, and he’ll be sure to be the first one called up if anything happens to the other edge rushers on the team.
Kareem Jackson
Using up one of their six practice squad spots eligible to veterans, the Bills signed Jackson, who made headlines last season for a slew of illegal hits. Through Week Seven, Jackson injured Jakobi Meyers, Logan Thomas, and Luke Musgrave leading to a total of $89,670 in fines and a three-game suspension that got reduced to two. After he returned from his initial suspension, Jackson got suspended once more for a hit on Joshua Dobbs that sent him to concussion protocol. That game turned out to be his last as a Bronco since he was released on Christmas and promptly picked up by the Texans for their playoff push. After spending his first 15 seasons on the same two teams, he’ll start a new chapter as a veteran presence for the young defensive backs of the Bills.
Daequan Hardy
One of the young defensive backs in question is that of Hardy, who was selected with the 219th-overall pick in April. Hardy’s job was taken by another defensive back that he didn’t get to formally compete with, Brandon Codrington. The Bills traded for Codrington 30 minutes before the final roster cuts. Codrington, the same height as Hardy at five-foot-nine, went undrafted after finishing a four-season career at HBCU North Carolina Central University, where he received HBCU All-American Honors as well as All-MEAC Honors a combined five times as a punt returner, defensive back, and kickoff returner. Unfortunately, Hardy got edged out by Codrington for the backup spot to Taron Johnson and as a punt returner.
