The Buffalo Bills have placed offensive lineman Ike Boettger on the team’s Reserve/PUP list according to general manager Brandon Beane.
On Tuesday, the window for placing players on the designation opened.
Boettger, 27, was originally injured last season. He made 10 starts on Buffalo’s offensive line in 2021, including nine straight, before he suffered that Achilles injury.
Upon Boettger leaving the lineup, the Bills called upon Ryan Bates to replace him. Bates performed well and held onto starting duties even when former Bill Jon Feliciano returned to the lineup.
Bates’ efforts earned him an offer sheet from the Chicago Bears this offseason which was matched by the Bills. Bates will be back in Buffalo under that four-year deal.
However, Bates was not the lone Bills offensive lineman re-signed this spring. Despite his injury, Boettger also was re-signed via a one-year deal.
Boettger landing on the PUP list is not surprising. He has spent the entire offseason away from the practice field.
Landing on the PUP list means Boettger must sit out at least four games. He can return any time after that.
The Bills designating Boettger to the PUP list also reveals the team did not see fit for cornerback Tre’Davious White to land there. He remains on the team’s active roster.
Boettger coming off the roster brings Buffalo down to the mandated total of 80 players required by the NFL ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
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