Buffalo Rumblings
Spector just finished his second stint on IR this season.
On Wednesday, the Buffalo Bills opened Baylon Spector’s 21-day practice window, meaning that he can now practice with the team as they prepare for the AFC Championship Game this weekend. Spector, a third year player out of Clemson, has been on Injured Reserve (IR) since the start of Week 17 as he dealt with a calf injury.
In reality, Spector spent nine weeks on IR this season. He first popped up on the Bills’ injury list with a calf issue back on the last day of practice in Week 10.
Buffalo sent the linebacker to IR ahead of the game, and that’s where he stayed for five weeks. The league required players placed on IR to remain there until their team has completed four games — since the Bills had a bye in Week 12, Spector got an extra week of rest.
Buffalo activated Spector before Week 15 practices began and then, in un-Bills like fashion, added him back to the active roster with only three days of practice. To say they may have rushed things is an understatement.
Spector played on Sunday and by Thursday he was back on the injury report. The linebacker tried to tough it out through another game, but ultimately ended up back on IR at the start of Week 17.
Now, with four games (Weeks 17 and 18, plus 2 playoff games) played, the team has brought Spector back to the active roster once again. But don’t panic Bills fans — there’s little doubt that it will be Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard starting at linebacker on Sunday.
In fact, the Bills don’t even have to add Spector to the active roster at all. Teams have 21 days after they open a player’s practice window before they need to add them to their active roster or lose them for the remainder of the season.
With Buffalo opening Spector’s window on Wednesday, there are only 19 days before Super Bowl LIX. Spector can practice, be readily available if needed, all without the Bills having to adjust their roster unless an emergency arises.
Letting Spector practice now serves two purposes for the Bills: It gives them an insurance player that has been in the system all season — three in fact — should they need someone after this weekend’s game. It also lets them evaluate Spector so they can make a better decision about his future with the team when the offseason gets started.
Spector is set to make a base salary of $1,100,000, while carrying a cap hit of $1,125,931 and a dead-cap value of $25,931 next season.
