Though the Buffalo Bills made a significant free agent signing Wednesday night in reaching a verbal one-year agreement with Kirk Morrison, don't expect the team's inside linebacker position to look drastically different any time soon.
Most major outlets reporting the news agree that the signing took place to offset an injury to Reggie Torbor that may be more serious than first indicated. Torbor had been taking reps with the first-team defense on passing downs - and while that's not an ideal role for Morrison, he's still considered an upgrade on run downs. He may even be an upgrade on run downs over starter Andra Davis; Pro Football Focus credits Morrison with just one missed tackle in a down year with Jacksonville.
Rookie Chris White is also dealing with an injury, but he's working towards a return. Another rookie, Kelvin Sheppard, has already returned to the practice field. It remains highly unlikely that the team moves Arthur Moats back to outside linebacker, as they seem committed to playing him inside. Nick Barnett is the only player truly entrenched as a starter.
In all, the landscape isn't changing much at inside linebacker. With Morrison, however, it is looking decidedly better.