The Buffalo Bills needed some help in the trenches for this week’s game, so they turned to a very familiar face.
The team announced on Saturday that they elevated defensive tackle Jordan Phillips from the practice squad for their game against the New Orleans Saints. The 33-year-old defensive tackle is in his fourth stint with the Bills and will fill in for another big lineman who was already ruled out due to injury.
Jordan Phillips Picking Up the Slack
Phillips signed to Buffalo’s practice squad late in the summer, joining the team for the fourth time in his career. Phillips has appeared in 61 career games for the Bills, making 90 total tackles with 13.5 sacks, one fumble recovery and one interception.
He made a memorable play in last year’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game, sacking quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the fourth quarter.
The Bills elevated Phillips to the active roster this weekend to fill in for defensive tackle Ed Oliver, who suffered an injury after the team’s Week 1 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and has missed each of the last two weeks. The Bills called up lineman Zion Logue from the practice squad in the last two weeks, but now turn to the veteran Phillips to add depth.
Veteran Daquan Jones took over starting duties for Oliver, leading the defensive line against the Dolphins with 42 total snaps on defense — 69% of the team’s total. Logue appeared in 36 snaps while rookie Deone Walker looked impressive in 19 total snaps.
Though Phillips has bounced around the league, he always expressed a preference for Buffalo. After he was released by the Dallas Cowboys last November and signing with the Bills, Oliver said he was happy to be back in Buffalo.
“Seeing the smiles, and being actually wanted, it’s a hell of a drug, you know what I mean? You can do a lot for people when it’s in the right environment,” Phillips said, via Syracuse.com. “I’m an acquired taste, and (the Bills) like my taste.”
Bills Missing Two Defensive Stars
Though the Bills have trusted Phillips during his several stints with the team, they will still be missing two important pieces when they take the field against the Saints. The team announced on Saturday that both Oliver and linebacker Matt Milano would be ruled out for the game, both having missed several weeks due to injuries.
The Bills are still double-digit favorites against the winless Saints and are looking to seize control of the AFC East while moving closer to their ultimate goal of the No. 1 overall seed in the conference. The Bills have fallen just shy of that goal, earning the No. 2 seed in the playoffs twice over the last five years, but have already jumped ahead of the rival Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens.
The Chiefs and Ravens meet on Sunday, with the loser falling to 1-3. The Bills have already beaten the Ravens and hold the tiebreaker and will face the Chiefs later this season.
The Bills also hold a two-game lead in the AFC East, with the Patriots falling to 1-2 and the New York Jets and Dolphins both winless at 0-3.