Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills elevated two veterans from their practice squad ahead of their Week 9 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. Cornerback Dane Jackson and defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis were the two players elevated for the contest.
Mathis, 27, is being elevated for the second time this season. His first elevation came in Buffalo’s 23-20 loss against the New England Patriots. Mathis played 17 defensive snaps in that contest, which accounts for 28% of the team’s total in that game. He totaled two tackles.
Given that DaQuan Jones is out once again, and the Bills have already placed T.J. Sanders, DeWayne Carter, and Ed Oliver on Injured Reserve (IR) this season, Mathis figures to be a part of the rotation this week. Larry Ogunjobi, Deone Walker, and Jordan Phillips, whom the Bills just signed to their 53-man roster from the practice squad earlier this week, are the other defensive tackles on the current roster.
Jackson, 28, is being elevated for the first time this season. He has appeared in 61 NFL games in his career, making 31 starts. He has 175 tackles, 30 pass breakups, and three interceptions in his career.
After entering the league as a seventh-round choice of the Bills in the 2020 NFL Draft, he spent four years with Buffalo before moving on to the Carolina Panthers for the 2024 season. Jackson re-signed with Buffalo this offseason, and has been on their practice squad since he was released as a part of Buffalo’s final cuts after the preseason concluded.
With nickel cornerback Taron Johnson appearing on the injury report on Friday due to a groin injury, it’s possible that the Bills could be preparing to use Jackson on special teams in the game on Sunday. If Johnson can’t go, then Cam Lewis, a mainstay on special teams, is likely to see more time on defense. Jordan Hancock, a fifth-round pick of Buffalo’s in the 2025 NFL Draft, can also play slot corner, but the team has primarily used him as a safety.
Jackson is not a slot corner, but he could add depth and experience to the game day roster in the event of further injuries. Of course, it’s also possible that Jackson’s elevation is merely a way for him to earn a full game check, something the Bills have done with multiple veteran practice-squad players over the last few years.
