The Buffalo Bills on Tuesday placed right tackle Erik Pears and cornerback Terrence McGee on Injured Reserve, released kickoff specialist John Potter and signed wide receiver Marcus Easley to the active roster from the practice squad.
Pears and McGee are both players that had been dealing with injuries since training camp. Both players took a turn for the worse after the bye week, as Pears required sudden treatment on his hip problem and McGee couldn't get back onto the practice field despite a week off. Both players are under contract for the 2013 season.
Potter, the seventh-round pick brought in specifically to be the kickoff specialist, did not play in the team's last two games, nullifying his very slim purpose for being on the roster. His space will be given to Easley, the third-year pro out of Connecticut who may very well be making his NFL debut in the very near future. The 2010 fourth-round pick has long been a fan favorite, and Buffalo had a need for depth - not to mention impact - at the receiver position.
The series of roster moves leave the Bills with two open roster spots. At least one of those will likely be dedicated to an offensive lineman, where the team has just seven healthy players at the moment. (Don't be surprised if Keith Williams is added from the practice squad, but a tackle would be a smarter decision.) Adding a cornerback wouldn't be a bad move, either, as with Aaron Williams shelved and Ron Brooks only just returned to the lineup, the team may only have three players they're comfortable playing at the position heading into a matchup with the New England Patriots.