Bills’ injury concerns continue as the team brings in potential emergency relief for key position ahead of the regular season
Not to worry, yet.
The Buffalo Bills have been battling their fair share of injuries throughout training camp and the preseason. Although it hasn’t affected regular-season performance, numerous players have missed key reps. Specifically, kicker Tyler Bass had been sidelined since late July and was finally able to kick in the team’s preseason finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after missing eight consecutive practices and the previous two preseason contests. While this move feels like some good due diligence from the head coach, it also serves as a potential emergency relief if Bass were to go down at any point in the early stages of the season. Buffalo is taking full advantage of the well of players that have become available after roster cutdown day. The team has brought in three kickers for a workout: Eddy Piñeiro, Zane Gonzalez, and Greg Joseph.
During the preseason finale, Bass went two for two on extra point attempts and three for four on field goals, with a miss from 26 yards.
Buffalo, while dealing with Bass’ injury, brought on Caden Davis early in the preseason, who was later released on Aug. 20 to make room for Zy Alexander, Elijah Young, and Rush Reimer. Davis, during the preseason for the Bills, went one of one for extra points and one of two on his field goal attempts, missing one from 50+ yards out.
Bass is one of the best kickers in team history
The veteran has already cemented himself in the history books in terms of all-time Bills kickers. He holds the franchise record for: longest field goal (61 yards – Nov. 3, 2024, against the Dolphins), most field goals attempted in a single game (eight), most 50+ field goals in team history (16), and most points scored in a single season (141 in 2020).
If he can stay healthy, Bass is on track to break even more records. However, he’s been inconsistent at times, and his career field goal percentage of 84.5% is not elite by any means. Some sour moments in the playoffs, specifically the wide right against the Chiefs in the 2024 NFL playoffs, have had some fans ready to move on from the kicker.
Gonzalez, Piñeiro, Joseph — Due diligence
More so than Bass’ health, this move screams classic McDermott. The coach is taking a look at a possible replacement if Bass were to miss extended time. It’s important to know what’s out there and what his options look like with plenty of veterans available to them, so the team can be successful moving forward. Always, trust the process.
Speaking of what McDermott is working with, Piñeiro signed with the Las Vegas Raiders after going undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft and was placed on injured reserve before the season. In 2019, he was traded to the Chicago Bears as the team was reeling from the infamous “double-doink” and sent back a conditional 2021 seventh-round draft pick in exchange. He’s jumped around the league, spending time with the New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, and Carolina Panthers. The five-year veteran is 111 for 126 (88.1%) for field goals.
Much like Piñeiro, Joseph went undrafted but signed as a free agent with the Miami Dolphins in 2018. Cycling between practice squads and the active roster, he’s spent time with the Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, Commanders, Jets, and, most recently, the San Francisco 49ers. He was in an active kicking competition during the 2025 preseason but was released by the 49ers after the team was ravaged with injuries and needed to clear up some roster space. The six-year veteran has gone 116 for 141 (82.3%) for field goals in his career.
Gonzalez was a seventh-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns and hopped around the NFL during his career. He spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, Panthers, and Commanders before becoming a free agent heading into the 2025 season. The six-year vet is 96 for 120 (80%) for field goals.
All three men have worked out for the Miami Dolphins as well as the Bills heading into the 2025 season.
A lot of options from McDermott to choose from if he needs it, though it does feel like more of a break-in-case-of-emergency situation. With the regular season looming, if there is any issue with Bass and his pelvic injury, there’s not a whole lot of time left to get it corrected.
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