MONSTER COMMITMENT: Just in Bills re-signs veteran LB Weeks after his Release.

Bills Urged to Re-Sign Veteran LB Weeks After Releasing Him

The Buffalo Bills made a surprising decision before the roster deadline, cutting veteran linebacker Deion Jones while opting to keep undrafted rookie Joe Andreessen on their final roster. However, due to recent injuries, Jones could be making a return to the team, according to a new report. Bleacher Report suggested that Jones is the top player the Bills should consider re-signing, as injuries have left the linebacker group thin. The report highlighted the season-ending injury to Matt Milano and the expected month-long absence of Terrel Bernard after suffering a pectoral strain against the Dolphins.

Deion Jones Released in August
Jones was brought in by the Bills during the offseason to provide depth at linebacker, but he was released on August 25, just before the final roster cuts. A seasoned linebacker with 91 career starts and a Pro Bowl selection in 2017, Jones most recently played a reserve role for the Carolina Panthers, where he appeared in 13 games last season, recording 35 tackles and 1 sack.

Jones’ release came after the impressive performance of Joe Andreessen, a local player from Lancaster, New York. Initially joining the Bills through a rookie minicamp tryout, Andreessen earned a roster spot by excelling in both defense and special teams, outperforming Jones during training camp.

Bills in Need of Short-Term Depth
The Bills may require short-term linebacker help after Bernard’s injury on September 12. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that while Bernard’s pectoral injury isn’t season-ending, he could be sidelined for about a month and might be placed on injured reserve.

Deion Jones

Bills head coach Sean McDermott confirmed Bernard would miss several weeks and acknowledged the team is considering whether to put him on injured reserve, which would keep him out for at least four weeks.

Injuries have plagued the Bills’ defense, with Milano going down during training camp and nickel cornerback Taron Johnson getting hurt in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. Johnson hasn’t been placed on injured reserve, though the team has not provided a clear timetable for his return.