Bills bring in some much-needed insurance to fix a major problem with the roster ahead of a pivotal playoff matchup vs. Jaguars
The signing couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.
The Buffalo Bills are bolstering their roster at the perfect time.
Head coach Sean McDermott said after the win against the New York Jets that the team would be bringing in some kickers for tryouts. Not long after, he shared that the team signed journeyman kicker Mathew Wright.
During the Jets game, kicker Matt Prater went down with an injury, forcing the team to try for two points after every touchdown and having punter Mitch Wishnowsky take kickoff duties. It came at the worst possible time, with the playoffs right around the corner and with the team down a potential kicker. McDermott has told reporters that Prater is considered day-to-day with his injury, raising questions about his availability for Sunday.
Not having a kicker is just flat-out bad news, but luckily, the team brought in some emergency relief so that if Prater can’t play, the team wouldn’t get screwed by being down a kicker.
Buffalo brings in some emergency reinforcements ahead of the playoff game against Jacksonville
Wright has kicked in the NFL for eight teams, with his most recent stint this season with the Titans, Commanders, and Texans. He made all five field goals and four extra points attempts, and for his career, he’s made 60 out of a possible 68 field goals. Wright entered the NFL in November 2020, signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and has kicked for the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Panthers, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Prater reaggravating his quad injury could be a blessing in disguise, as it forced the team to look within and address a major problem on the roster. Wright has been signed to the practice squad and can be used as a break-in-case-of-emergency type move on gameday if Prater doesn’t progress well through his injury.
It’s been a kicking carousel in Buffalo
Prater going down with an injury isn’t the first time that Buffalo has had to look for outside help to at kicker. Prater himself was an emergency addition ahead of the Week 1 contest against the Baltimore Ravens after kicker Tyler Bass went down with an injury.
While Prater has been playing well, he’s been injured, too, which forced the team to bring in kicker Michael Badgley for two games. Badgley left much to be desired and was quickly released after missing several extra points during his two games in Buffalo.
By adding Wright, the team waived offensive tackle Richard Gouraige to make room. Not only that, but Buffalo signed kicker Maddux Trujilo to a reserve/future contract. He’s not eligible to play in the playoffs, though; it’s just a deal thinking about the 2026 season.
With the postseason looming, Buffalo can’t afford to leave anything to chance. Bringing in Wright gives the Bills a safety net at a position that can swing a playoff game in a single moment.
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