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Buffalo Bills defenders Jarius Wynn and Ty Powell were placed on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, bringing their 2015 seasons to a highly premature end.
The Bills also waived rookie edge defender Erik Williams, and signed two free agents: veteran linebacker Quentin Groves, and undrafted rookie running back Ricky Seale.
Given the three-out, two-in of it all, one would assume that the Bills have an open roster spot. But that does not appear to be the case, as Powell will apparently still count against the active roster until the first round of cuts on September 1.
As @pfrumors points out, Bills likely don’t have open spot on 90-man roster. Powell, as non-vested veteran on IR before 75 cut, counts on 90
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) August 18, 2015
If the Bills wanted to put Ty Powell on IR and gain spot on 90-man roster, they would’ve needed to waived/injured him. Rule technicality.
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) August 18, 2015
Wynn and Powell both suffered ACL injuries recently - Wynn during Friday night's preseason opener, and Powell on Monday morning during a practice. Groves, an eighth-year pro with experience at both end and linebacker, could theoretically provide insurance for the voids created by both players.
Seale gives the Bills a healthy running back to hand the ball off to when they're not working with their only other two healthy backs, LeSean McCoy and undrafted rookie Bronson Hill. Fifth-round pick Karlos Williams is the latest Bills runner to be shelved - he will reportedly miss several weeks after being hospitalized on Monday. Fred Jackson (hamstring), Boobie Dixon (calf), and Bryce Brown (hamstring) are all not practicing at present, as well.