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Bills Reunite with All-Pro Safety with Practice Squad Signing

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Colin Miller | Last updated Dec 5, 2024 5:20 PM ET

The Buffalo Bills will look to secure the top seed in the AFC for the first time with Josh Allen in the final five weeks of the 2024 season.

After the Bills saw a lot of turnover in their personnel during the 2024 offseason, many entered the season with lower expectations, but through 13 weeks, Buffalo has looked like a true Super Bowl contender. Now, with a playoff push coming, the team decided to bring back a long-time defensive cornerstone.

In his Wednesday press conference, coach Sean McDermott confirmed that the team has signed All-Pro safety Micah Hyde to their practice squad.

"Micah Hyde has returned to the team in a practice squad role," said McDermott. "Just to set expectations, Micah is in a practice squad role. We are fully confident in Taylor Rapp, Damar Hamlin, Cole Bishop, Kareem Jackson— they've all been doing a real good job for us. The roles that they are currently in, they're going to stay in those roles."

Hyde spent the last seven years with the Bills, and was a two-time second-team All-Pro and a one-time Pro Bowler in that time. In the offseason, the Bills decided to not re-sign Hyde, making him an unrestricted free agent. After entering free agency, Hyde stated that he did not plan to play for any other NFL team, and if Buffalo didn't bring him back, he would retire.

Although the reunion didn't come until late into the season, and Hyde isn't expected to play a large role, he could still provide a strong veteran presence in the locker room.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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