The Buffalo Bills have signed linebacker Brandon Spikes again, according to a tweet from his agency.
Congratulations to #TeamDEC client @brandonspikes55 on signing with @buffalobills #hesback
— DEC Management (@davidcanter) August 7, 2016
Spikes played with the team in 2014, accumulating 54 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. He was a solid two-down run defending linebacker in Jim Schwartz's 4-3 defense, but was allowed to depart when Rex Ryan began assembling his scheme. From there he spent some time waiting on free agency, eventually signing again with the Patriots on May 18th. Less than a month later, he was released by the team, after his abandoned car was found and connected with a hit-and-run. Spikes was cited for leaving the scene of an accident with injury, driving negligently, and failing to stay within marked lanes as a result of the incident, and also served a four game suspension during the 2015 season that was spent on the sidelines.
The Bills return to Spikes with a major depth problem at inside linebacker, thanks to injuries affecting Reggie Ragland, Jamari Lattimore, and Kevin Reddick. The team was forced to shorten its Saturday night scrimmage and use two outside linebackers inside as a result of the injury situation. Signing the run-stopping Spikes may work as a complementary piece for the quick coverage linebacker Zack Brown. It's also worth noting that Spikes was an effective partner with Preston Brown when the two of them played on the field in 2014. Whether Spikes sticks with the team through the entirety of Ragland's recovery period, or even all of training camp, remains to be seen. For now, it's likely another prove-it deal for Spikes and Buffalo.