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In announcing the signing of free agent inside linebacker Nick Barnett on Sunday, the Buffalo Bills also announced that they'd added another veteran defender to the depth chart.
Lionel Dotson, a 6'4", 290-pound defensive end with experience playing for both the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos, was awarded to the Bills off of waivers. A seventh-round draft pick of Miami in 2008, Dotson has appeared in seven games over his three seasons, and spent most of his time on the practice squads of the two clubs. He was awarded to Buffalo after the Dolphins placed him on waivers on Saturday.
Dotson's best chance to make the team comes if the Bills plan, once again, on keeping seven defensive linemen. He's got a good shot to be the fifth defensive end, where he's fighting only undrafted rookie T.J. Langley, and would need to beat out reserve nose guards Kellen Heard and Michael Jasper for a spot, as well. For now, he'll sit behind backup ends Spencer Johnson and Alex Carrington on the depth chart.
The Bills released rookie end Jordan Topp to make room for Dotson, meaning that they're still at 89 players on the roster. They have room for one more veteran.