A rash of injuries had put the Buffalo Bills’ season in doubt, but before Week 9’s festivities, general manager Brandon Beane brought in the reinforcements.
Cornerback Tre’Davious White, linebacker Matt Milano, and defensive tackle DaQuan Jones could very well be irreplaceable, but Buffalo is giving it a pretty good shot, without mortgaging the future.
Beane traded a third-round pick for cornerback Rasul Douglas and a fifth-round pick. He also signed running back Leonard Fournette to the practice squad and welcomed in defensive lineman Linval Joseph on a one-year deal.
On Thursday, Joseph had his first chance to speak to the media as a member of the Bills.
"This team is special. The locker room is special, the guys are special," he said. "I know I'm new here, but I feel like I've been here this whole season, just off of the meeting, just being here in the last 24 hours."
Joseph isn’t speaking out of blind optimism, either. He was a late addition to a Philadelphia Eagles team that won the NFC last season and won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants in 2011.
The veteran defensive tackle is effectively a mercenary, signing up for a half-season of competitive football and however far he can get in the playoffs.
Expect him to play in a rotational role, particularly in the spots in which defensive tackle Jordan Phillips had seen more time. Phillips has struggled as a run defender in Jones’ absence, whereas Joseph played well down the stretch in 2022.
While he’s obviously yet to make an impact, Joseph has made himself known to his Buffalo teammates, both Thursday and with his previous play.
“One of the most physically imposing players in the NFL in the past 15 years," Bills center Mitch Morse said. "I was telling him that my 'Welcome to the NFL' moment was playing him in Minnesota. I mean just, strong, imposing.”
The 14-year NFL veteran should have an immediate impact once he’s up to speed, which could be as soon as Sunday’s contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. Regaining a mountain of a man with Joseph’s consistency should bring a healthy amount of stability to Buffalo’s run defense, which is currently below average.
Whenever he takes his first snap for Buffalo, he’ll be an upgrade. His signing, along with the other deadline-day moves, should be an encouraging sign of aggression from this front office.
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