The Buffalo Bills played their final preseason snaps against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday in a 31-26 effort that came up short.
Despite the loss, it was a big day for the team’s undrafted free agent signee and legacy player Frank Gore Jr.
Like his Father, the junior Gore signed with Buffalo, and while Gore Sr. did so near the end of his career the second member of the family to wear a Bills jersey is doing so as his is just beginning.
To that end, he helped his case in the contest, putting up a touchdown and 101 Yards rushing via 18 carries on the day. He finished the preseason with Gore finished the preseason with a total of 163 yards on 33 carries and a 4.9 yards average per attempt.
“I can’t control it, so there’s nothing that I can really do about it. But I put my best foot forward every day during camp, during preseason,” Gore said after the exhibition about his roster chances. “So, whatever they decide, they decide. They’re going to do what’s best for the team, and I’ll be fine no matter what.”
The Bills rested their offensive starters as to not risk injury, opening a door of opportunity that Gore Jr. made the most of.
While it was a preseason contest and a number of the defensive players for Carolina were backups or depth players, the rookie rose to the occasion to make a strong case for a practice squad spot with Buffalo.
“I actually felt that I was doing good throughout the preseason. It was just everyone had to rotate, so like I really couldn’t get into a groove, because I’m used to playing in college all four quarters,” he added. “So, I was excited to come out here and be able to play like a full game again. So that’s what I was looking forward to when I was ready for.”
As the Bills prepare to kick off the regular season next Sunday they will name their 53-man roster along with a number of cuts and practice squad signings.
His head coach had some good things to say about his play in the game, despite a slight knee roll injury in the final minutes.
“I thought he did some good things as well,” Sean McDermott said to the press. “It’s unfortunate that he went down towards the end of the game there, but ran hard, and gave us some juice in there.”
Gore will likely be among those who don’t make the 53-man roster, though being signed to the practice squad and even playing in the regular season aren’t improbable despite being behind RB1 James Cook, Cook’s backup Ty Johnson, and fellow rookie Ray Davis on the backfield depth chart.
Last season saw some injuries to the Bills running backs, and this year the team hopes the current group remains healthy.
Gore could be cut due to the crowdedness at the position, or he could be added to develop on the practice squad and even get called up at some point should a roster spot open up and the need arise.
Time will tell as Tuesday’s roster cut deadline looms whether he’ll remain in Buffalo, but no matter the outcome another Gore running back wearing number 20 Bills jersey put on a display in a ground game performance.
“Of course, I feel like I belong in the league,” the rookie noted. “I don’t know where – I hope I’m here – but it really doesn’t matter. Like I said before, (general manager Brandon) Beane’s gonna do his best for his team, and hopefully someone’s seen something in me. So, really I’ll be fine, for sure. No matter if it’s this year, next year, the year after, I’ll be fine.”