ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Veteran safety Jordan Poyer is back for a second stint with the Buffalo Bills after signing to the team's practice squad on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old has 12 seasons of NFL experience, including seven in Buffalo spanning 2017-2023 when he and Micah Hyde formed the Bills starting tandem. Poyer spent last season with Miami, where he started 16 games, and Hyde retired after finishing last year on Buffalo’s practice squad.
Though it's unclear how long it'll take Poyer to get into game shape, general manager Brandon Beane said the player will make an immediate impact in practice and film study because of his experience and familiarity with the Bills defensive system.
Beane said he's stayed in contact with Poyer since spring in discussing this exact scenario in serving as a mentor for Buffalo's younger players as well as stepping in in the event of an injury.
“The things that we talk about, toughness, an edge, personality, all the things — how do you watch film? — there is just so many things you can pick up from a Jordan Poyer,” Beane said. He said the same applies to 32-year-old defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, who was also added to the practice squad in his fourth stint in Buffalo.
“That’s what I love about both Jordans. They’re selfless. Of course, they’re competitive. If their number’s called, they’re going to go out there and do the best,” Beane said. “But they also understand — it’s do whatever it takes. Help a guy on practice squad, help a guy on active, help a guy prepare for an upcoming opponent.”
Beane also provided an update on Tre'Davious White in not ruling out the possibility of the veteran cornerback being available for the season opener against Baltimore on Sept. 7. Beane, however, didn't reveal the exact nature of the injury White sustained when he hopped off the field with an apparent leg injury in practice on Aug. 21.
“Luckily, this is not any type of season-ending thing. He’s preparing. We’ll take it one day at a time,” Beane said of White.
The 30-year-old is back in Buffalo for a seventh season after splitting last year between the Rams and Ravens. White is being counted on to start opposite Christian Benford with rookie first-round pick Maxwell Hairston opening the season on injured reserve with a sprained right knee.
Poyer's arrival coincides with the Bills facing question marks at safety entering the season.
Last week, coach Sean McDermott expressed concern in saying he had yet to determine who will start opposite Taylor Rapp. The choice is between second-year player Cole Bishop and fifth-year player Damar Hamlin, who started 14 games next to Rapp last year.
A second-round pick, Bishop was supposed to compete for the job last year before missing much of training camp with a shoulder injury. This summer, Bishop’s development was slowed by a quadriceps injury, and he struggled in his preseason debut in a 38-0 loss to Chicago two weeks ago.
“We know who T-Rapp is. We know what he brings to the table. It’s the other piece to go along with T-Rapp,” McDermott said.
Poyer enjoyed his best seasons in Buffalo in being among the first free agents signed by the Bills after McDermott took over as coach. Poyer was an All-Pro selection in 2021, when he matched a career-high with five interceptions and had three sacks.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
John Wawrow, The Associated Press
