The Buffalo Bills have placed fullback Patrick DiMarco on the injured reserve list, ending his season. The team announced the move on Friday. DiMarco had a neck injury.
Because DiMarco was added to the team’s IR list prior to the start of the regular season, the fullback’s season is over. DiMarco was a early signing by the team under head coach Sean McDermott in 2017. His on-field production was low, however, DiMarco was coveted as a team leader by the coach. Without him, undrafted rookie free agent Reggie Gilliam, listed as both a fullback and tight end by the team at times this offseason, could have a strong look at the roster now.
DiMarco was entering the final year of his contract.
In addition to DiMarco, two linebackers went out the door as well, Vosean Joseph and Corey Thompson. Both players were released by the Bills as the team begins to trim their roster down to 53 players ahead of the NFL deadline to do so on Saturday by 4 p.m.
Releasing Thompson and Joseph bodes well for both Andre Smith and Tyrel Dodson. Smith, mostly a special teamer in his two-year career, was traded for earlier this week. Dodson was a UDFA of the Bills prior to 2019, but had off-field issues and never suited up for the team.
In a move in the opposite direction, the Bills have sent another player’s status toward making the final roster. Tight end Tommy Sweeney, who’s missed the entirety of the team’s training camp, was activated from the physically unable to preform list (PUP). Sweeney had a foot injury throughout training camp.
Sweeney likely joins Dawson Knox and Tyler Kroft as the team’s 2020 tight ends. But there’s also Lee Smith to consider. Like DiMarco, Smith was coveted as a leader, but his focal point in Buffalo was as a blocking tight end and had little playmaking upside.
Stay tuned to Bills Wire throughout the weekend as the Bills continue their roster movement.
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