Buffalo Bills Promote Michael Jasper To Active Roster

A cult hero has been returned to the Buffalo Bills' active roster today, as rookie seventh-round pick Michael Jasper - a guard - was signed to replace tight end Mike Caussin, who was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve.

Listed at 383 pounds by the team, Jasper - who came into the NFL from a tiny Tennessee college called Bethel - weighed well over 400 pounds in his college career, and only got his shot as a pro after shedding enough weight to come in at under 400 at the request of Bills GM Buddy Nix and his scouts. A marvelous athlete for his size, Jasper played nose tackle during the pre-season, but has spent his rookie season on the practice squad as an offensive guard.

The Bills are banged up on the offensive line, but don't expect Jasper to be force-fed reps. The team is set for the moment on the interior offensive line, with Colin Brown set to take over at center between left guard Andy Levitre and right guard Chad Rinehart. Sam Young will be the reserve tackle in Sunday's finale against New England, while Jasper will be the reserve guard.

Still, Jasper is likely to be active on game day - and as such, he's likely to be on the field at some point, perhaps in a special teams or goal line capacity.