The Buffalo Bills have seen their injury woes increase as the 2025 NFL season wears on, and they now have a major need that they could address ahead of next week’s trade deadline.
Bills Defense Continues To Be Depleted By Injuries
Teams around the league are dealing with injuries, and the Bills have been hit particularly hard. More specifically, it is their defense that is quickly becoming depleted. There are four different secondary players that are currently on IR, and linebacker Matt Milano has only played in three games so far this season.
Breaking: Bills fear that standout DT Ed Oliver tore his bicep and will be sidelined indefinitely, sources told @AdamSchefter.
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But it is the defensive line that has been the more affected. The Bills already have two interior linemen on the IR, and DaQuan Jones has missed the last two games. To make matters infinitely worse, Ed Oliver left Sunday’s game against the Panthers with a pectoral issue. On Monday, it was announced that the seven-year veteran will require surgery, and is out indefinitely.
The various ailments present a big issue for Buffalo. They already rank second-to-last in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (150.3), and will be shorthanded for their important Week 9 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bills will enter the game with only two healthy defensive tackles on their 53-man roster. Rookie Deone Walker and veteran backup Larry Ogunjobi will likely be in the starting spots, and the only other option would be to elevate Jordan Phillips from the practice squad.
Simmons, Jordan Could Be On Buffalo’s Radar Ahead Of Deadline
The issues make the Bills potential buyers ahead of the upcoming trade deadline. Which players might they have on their radar if they do in fact search the open market for help?
One of the more intriguing options is Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons. It is believed that Tennessee prefers to hold on to the talent that they have despite the season being all but lost, but perhaps they could be swayed with the right offer for one of their longest-tenured players.
Simmons is a multi-time Second-Team All-Pro selection, and qualified for his third career Pro Bowl last season. He would not only provide a veteran presence in the middle, but potential star power in subsequent years when paired with Oliver. The included contract could be an issue, but there is an “out” after this season which will see Simmons’ dead cap hit decrease.
Another veteran that the Bills could test the waters on is Cameron Jordan. The 15-year veteran is the second-longest tenured player in New Orleans Saints history, just a handful of games behind Drew Brees. But with his team struggling in recent years, Jordan has been the subject of trade rumors, but the Saints have never pulled the trigger. He is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2025 season, and would be a solid rental should New Orleans make him available.
