Earlier today, I wrote an article giving my prediction on what I believed the Buffalo Bills would do as a corresponding move to veteran defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis being activated to the 53-man roster after his suspension — turns out no corresponding move was needed.
Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reported the following regarding the roster gymnastics with Mathis:
Now, technically, Mathis is free to sign with any team, but per Buscaglia’s report, the Bills are “expected” to sign him to their practice squad.
Therefore, no Ar’maj Reed-Adams to IR or a release of Mike Danna.
And frankly, in my article earlier today, I should’ve included the release of Mathis as a potential path for the Bills to take with his suspension now over.
Why?
Because DeWayne Carter is playing darn good football through three weeks. He has four pressures on 42 pass-rush snaps, three run stops on 40 run-defense reps, six total tackles — one tackle for loss — and has not be credited with a missed tackle to date.
He’s appeared on 38.5% of Buffalo’s defensive snaps entering Week 4.
Essentially, Carter is playing precisely how the team would’ve hoped Mathis could play in a rotational role in Jim Leonhard’s defense early in the season.
And with Mathis not being subjected to waivers after his release, letting him to go now before retaining him on the practice squad was a prudent decision. Releasing Carter would’ve subjected him to waivers right away.
After all that, the Bills roster remains at 53.
