For the third week in a row, the Buffalo Bills are protecting the same four players on their practice squad so that other teams cannot sign them to their rosters.
- CB Dane Jackson
- OL Jordan Devey
- OL Jonotthan Harrison
- DT Justin Zimmer
Jackson is the Bills’ seventh-round pick out of Pitt who has inside and outside versatility as a corner. Between Levi Wallace and Josh Norman taking turns being hurt at CB2 and Taron Johnson’s injury history (and struggles), Jackson seems an obvious player to keep.
Two additional offensive linemen is interesting considering the depth at the position Buffalo already has on the bench in players like Ty Nsekhe, Quinton Spain, Ike Boettger, Ryan Bates—and Jon Feliciano hoping to return sooner than later. However, it makes sense as a safeguard against COVID-19. Linemen are literally in the faces of their opponents (and teammates) for nearly the entire game and the risk is high if one lineman gets it as a result of game play, his teammates may as well. Both Harrison and Devey have starting experience and can play multiple positions.
Zimmer wound up playing 29% of the defensive snaps in Week 1 against the New York Jets as Vernon Butler was out. Should any additional bumps or bruises keep another interior defensive lineman out, we will likely see Zimmer dress again for another game before the season is out.