Buffalo Bills defensive tackle DeWayne Carter (90) looks on after a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Key Bills defender out for season due to torn Achilles

By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Aug 31, 2025 6:27 PM ET

The Buffalo Bills have bad news for the defense with a week to go before they open their regular season against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night.

Per NFL insider Jordan Schultz, second-year defensive tackle DeWayne Carter has been ruled out for the season after he tore his Achilles.

"Sources: Bills DT DeWayne Carter tore his Achilles and will miss the entire 2025 season," Schultz posted on X. "The talented 2024 3rd-round pick was poised to be part of Buffalo’s defensive rotation this year. A tough blow."

Sources: #Bills DT DeWayne Carter tore his Achilles and will miss the entire 2025 season.

The talented 2024 3rd-round pick was poised to be part of Buffalo’s defensive rotation this year. A tough blow. pic.twitter.com/J9fF1tz2vL
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 31, 2025

The 24-year-old out of Duke was set to play a more significant role for the Bills in the upcoming season than he had in his rookie year. He appeared in 11 games and started three in 2024.

The 6-foot-3, 305-pound athlete recorded 14 tackles, five tackles for loss, three quarterback hits and one pass defensed last season. Carter recorded four tackles during the preseason.

The Bills have questions about depth on the interior part of the defensive line. DaQuan Jones and Ed Oliver will start at defensive tackle. Rookies T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker will be the backups.

Carter was a key depth piece on the defensive line because he's capable of playing both nose tackle and the three-tech position. He entered training camp battling with Walker for playing time in the regular season.

Carter was a promising defensive tackle coming out of college. He earned first-team All-ACC honors in 2023. The injury will cost Carter a chance to show improvement during his second season in the league.

Jordan Sigler

Jordan Sigler is a sports writer with a decade of experience as a journalist, including his time as a breaking news/day cops reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. His sports coverage across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and college football world has also been featured at ChiCitySports, Gridiron Heroics, Pro Football Network, and Athlon Sports. Based in Austin, Texas, Jordan graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Texas Tech University in 2014

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