The Buffalo Bills announced on Thursday that they’ve signed free agent cornerback Phillip Gaines.
Gaines reportedly visited with at least the Indianapolis Colts before electing to sign with the Bills.
The 27-year-old played the past four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, who selected him in the third round of the 2014 draft. Gaines started 16 of the 41 games he appeared in, making 90 tackles, with one interception and 14 passes defended. His 2017 season campaign ended on a sour note with the cornerback being placed on injured reserve, after dislocating his elbow in Kansas City’s season finale.
Gaines adds depth to the Buffalo’s secondary behind projected starting corners Vontae Davis and Tre’Davious White. If Davis and White start on the outside as expected, Gaines is in contention to lock down a role as the lead slot cornerback. The Bills lost E.J. Gaines (Cleveland Browns) and Shareece Wright (Oakland Raiders) this off-season in free agency, and last year’s slot corner Leonard Johnson remains a free agent.