Bills lose player to a divisional rival in unexpected fashion
Edge defender Andre Jones Jr. reunites with a familiar face in Miami, and Buffalo may need to replace him for developmental purposes on the practice squad.
The Buffalo Bills have lost a depth piece and special teamer. Edge defender Andre Jones Jr., a former seventh-round pick, was signed off the Bills’ practice squad by the Miami Dolphins, reuniting with Dolphins special teams coordinator Chris Tabor, who spent one season as Buffalo’s special teams coordinator in 2025.
Jones spent his first two NFL seasons with the Washington Commanders before joining the Bills last year. In his first season in Buffalo, he played 38 defensive snaps and 44 special teams snaps, accounting for roughly 10% of the Bills’ special teams plays throughout the season.
Jones’ role with the Bills
On defense, Jones recorded two pressures in 2025 while playing primarily as an edge defender. He logged 36 of his 38 defensive snaps along the defensive line outside the tackle, with two snaps over tackle. He also contributed across multiple special teams units, including kick coverage, kick return, punt return, and field goal/extra point block.
The Bills hadn’t used Jones at all in 2026. He was not called up for either of the first two games this season, meaning he didn’t log a single snap for Buffalo this year.
When a player sits on a team’s practice squad, any other team can sign him to its active 53-man roster. The original team has little recourse. The catch for the acquiring team is that it must keep the player on the 53-man roster and pay his salary for at least three weeks. The Dolphins are making a real commitment to Jones, at least over that stretch.
Buffalo’s depth may need another option
The Bills have decent depth at the edge defender spot. Greg Rousseau and Bradley Chubb are listed as the starting edge defenders, with Michael Hoecht, TJ Parker, Mike Danna, and Javon Solomon rounding out the 53-man roster at the position.
Jones was the only edge defender on Buffalo’s practice squad, though. That leaves a gap the Bills may want to address. It’s possible Buffalo will consider adding another piece, if not for immediate depth, then at least for developmental purposes after losing an edge rusher to a divisional rival in the AFC East.
