The Buffalo Bills have signed defensive tackle Justin Zimmer to the 53-man roster on Wednesday.
The team announced the move just days after Zimmer had a solid performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in their Week 6 26-17 loss on Monday. Zimmer recorded six total tackles, including two solo ones and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Against KC, Zimmer played in 44 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. Harrison Phillips was a healthy scratch and Zimmer filled his spot. The Bills total rotation in terms of snaps played at the defensive tackle spot for that contest was: Ed Oliver (58%), Quinton Jefferson (56%) and Vernon Butler (42%).
The contest was Zimmer’s second callup from the team’s practice squad this season. Zimmer also had a decent showing against the Jets in his first callup for Buffalo’s season opener. Since that game Zimmer didn’t get brought up, but the Bills did protect him on their practice squad each week since Week 1.
With his good performances in mind, the 27-year-old defender certainly earned a roster spot. However, some speculated that with Quinton Spain’s release the Bills would use their vacant roster spot to activate Jon Feliciano (pectoral) off the team’s injured reserve list. Or the clear idea would’ve been to fill Spain’s spot with another offensive lineman. Buffalo opted to add to their defensive line with Zimmer instead.
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