Story by
Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Shaq Thompson headlines 17 players signed to Bills practice squad
- Story byNiagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
- Shaq Thompson headlines 17 players signed to Bills practice squad
ORCHARD PARK — Practice squads were an afterthought. Now they are a vital part of NFL rosters.
Since the NFL expanded the practice squads to 16 in 2020 — with a 17th allotted for International Pathway Player Program players — and gave each team two call-ups per game, they have become an extension of the active roster. The Buffalo Bills used call-ups for every game last season.
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The Bills kept the practice squad in mind as they were formulating their 53-man roster. Although practice squad players only get three call-ups before they have to be signed to the active roster in order to be used again, the Bills plan to use it as an extension of the 53.
That's why the Bills felt comfortable sticking with four inside linebackers and three boundary cornerbacks on the main roster. Injuries and different needs appear throughout the season, but the practice squad can patch short-term holes.
"You're really playing with a 69-man roster and you can use 55 of those as your 48-man," Bills general manager Brandon Beane said. "... When we're making decisions to keep three boundary corners versus four, maybe we don't do that if you're not able to promote guys. … It's different pre-COVID, knowing who we can get on the practice squad."
The Bills went heavy on the defensive line, and don't have any interior linemen on the practice squad and have just one edge rusher. Conversely, the Bills kept a veteran inside linebacker ( Shaq Thompson ) and a developmental player (Keonta Jenkins).
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How the Bills also haven't discriminated with practice squad players. While some teams might peg a player in that hole if they don't immediately make the active roster, 10 players have made the active roster after a year on the practice squad since Beane became general manager in 2017.
Tight end Keleki Latu is the latest to accomplish the feat after spending most of last season on the practice squad. Latu wasn't considered for last season's 53-man roster coming out of training camp, but the Bills used all of his call-ups and signed him to the roster Week 17.
"You look at every team, guys that started the season either not on the roster or on the practice squad are playing meaningful minutes," Beane said. "So we've got to continue to develop some of these young guys … so when their opportunity comes they're ready to roll."
Ten players can have a maximum of two years accrued in the NFL, while six can have unlimited experience. Other teams can sign players at any time, but they must remain on the active roster for at least three weeks.
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Here's a look at all 17 the Bills signed:
OL Nick Broeker
Age: 25; Experience: 4
Broeker was a seventh-round pick of the Bills in 2023, but was cut coming out of training camp as a rookie. Appearing in 12 games, Broeker bounced around to five teams since then, including a stint on Buffalo's practice squad last year. Broeker played all five offensive line positions during training camp, which should offer value if necessary.
Age: 28; Experience: 6
Buechele finds his way to the practice squad for the fourth consecutive season, with a brief stint on Kansas City's active roster last year. The Bills get another quarterback coach with Buechele, who has deep trust from Josh Allen .
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Age: 25; Experience: 3
There's no downside in having Clayton on the practice squad for the third time. The Brit was part of the NFL's International Player Pathway Program, which gives teams an extra spot but doesn't allow him to be called up to the active roster. At 6-foot-7 and 300 pounds, Clayton runs a 4.81-second 40-yard dash. He switched from offensive tackle to defensive tackle during the offseason and showed more promise there, but it still didn't lead to much preseason action, getting 12 total snaps over three games.
DB Te'Cory Couch
Age: 27; Experience: 3
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Couch also lands on the practice squad for the third time. Versatility is the name of the game for Couch, who played his third position in three training camps for the Bills. Couch played nickelback as a rookie in 2024, moved outside last year and again to safety midway through camp this season.
WR Greg Dortch
Age: 28; Experience: 9
Born in Rochester, Dortch might be the most intriguing of the additions. After toiling on practice squads of four teams for most of his first three seasons, Dortch found a regular role for the Arizona Cardinals for four seasons. A slot receiver at 5-7 and 183, Dortch caught 145 passes for 1,310 yards and 10 touchdowns in 66 games for the Cardinals. He's also averaged 8.9 yards over 99 career punt returns and 23.6 over 75 kick returns. Dortch was cut by the Lions coming out of training camp, but could help the Bills, who are seeking punt return help.
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WR Stephen Gosnell
Age: 25; Experience: 2
Gosnell spent last season on the practice squad and the Bills love him. He's got good hands and is willing to play special teams. Whether that ever gets him into a regular-season game remains to be seen.
RB Frank Gore Jr.
Age: 24; Experience: 3
Gore is back on the practice squad for the third consecutive season. He's put together three solid preseasons, rushing for 386 yards and four touchdowns on 4.7 yards per carry. But it hasn't been enough to move up the depth chart. Gore was activated to the active roster after Ty Johnson 's injury during the playoffs, catching one pass for 6 yards. If the Bills need a running back in a pinch, Gore is a good option.
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ILB Keonta Jenkins
Age: 24; Experience: 2
It might be fair to consider Jenkins a snub. He out-paced Joe Andreessen in snaps on the first- and second-team defenses throughout training camp, but the Bills went with experience on the final roster. Jenkins is athletic and still a bit raw, so it wouldn't be surprising to find him on the active roster this season or next.
OLB Andre Jones Jr .
Age: 27; Experience: 4
Jones was signed to the practice squad after being released by the Commanders last season. The Bills are fans of his work, calling up to the active roster three times during the regular season and again for the AFC wild-card round. Jones offers depth on the edge and can play special teams.
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Age: 26; Experience: 4
Kendall signed with the Bills just before the preseason opener and made enough of an impression to stick around. The Division III Baldwin-Wallace graduate played 16 games as an undrafted free agent for the Tennessee Titans , but hasn't appeared in an NFL game since.
OL Chase Lundt
Age: 26; Experience: 2
The 2025 sixth-round pick made the active roster last season, but a disappointing training camp sends him to the practice squad. Lundt has the ability to play tackle and guard, but was playing primarily guard over the last couple weeks of the preseason.
WR Ja'Mori Maclin
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Age: 24; Experience: Rookie
The cousin of former Pro Bowler Jeremy Maclin , the rookie impressed in preseason, especially with his two catches for 108 yards and a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns . At 5-11 and 191, it might be tough for Maclin to get a call-up this season, but the Bills see something in him as a developmental prospect.
WR Trent Sherfield Sr.
Age: 30; Experience: 9
Sherfield should get some active-roster action this season and it was a slight surprise he was released. With Tyrell Shavers out with a torn ACL for the first half of the season, the Bills don't have a special teams-quality receiver on the active roster. Sherfield is a special teams ace and has more than enough talent to be a situational receiver.
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Age: 27; Experience: 6
Stone was thought to be a guarantee for the active roster before camp. He struggled with an injury and couldn't beat out Damar Hamlin for the final safety spot. Stone struggles heavily with tackling — with an NFL-worst 50 over the last three seasons — but he also ranks among the league leaders with 13 interceptions over that span. A healthy Stone is a luxury on a practice squad.
ILB Shaq Thompson
Age: 32; Experience: 12
A move many thought would happen sooner. Thompson expressed his desire to return to Buffalo after last season, but wanted a shot to be a starter. He worked out with the New England Patriots during training camp, but didn't sign. Thompson can offer mentorship to rookie Kaleb Elarms-Orr and Jenkins, while also being an adequate starter if needed.
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CB Kani Walker
Age: 23; Experience: Rookie
Perhaps the biggest roster snub for the Bills, it seemed like the undrafted free agent had done more than enough to make the final roster. It wouldn't be surprising to see Walker as a call-up or outright signed to the active roster this season, given the Bills are light on the boundary.
OT Jedrick Wills Jr.
Age: 27; Experience: 6
The Cleveland Browns' 10th overall pick in 2020, Wills had a strong start to his career. But Wills injured his MCL in 2023 and was never able to recover. The Browns picked up his fifth-year option, but didn't give him an extension after starting 57 of 58 games he played. Wills didn't play in 2025 as he continued to rehab his knee, but signed with the Chicago Bears in March, only to be released Sunday.
