Tag: Patrick DiMarco

Former Bills FB Patrick DiMarco announces retirement

Buffalo Bills former fullback Patrick DiMarco retires.

Patrick DiMarco, formerly the Buffalo Bills’ fullback, has retired from the NFL. He announced his decision via his social media account on Twitter on Thursday:

https://twitter.com/PatDiMarco42/status/1354898789379792896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1354898789379792896%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fbuffalonews.com%2Fsports%2Fbills%2Fformer-bills-fullback-patrick-dimarco-officially-announces-retirement%2Farticle_5e4decfc-61b2-11eb-bc45-17362172f883.html

Entering the NFL as an undrafted player out of South Carolina in 2011, the 31-year-old certainly did overcome some long odds.

As of now, the final team DiMarco will have played for in the NFL will be the Bills. In September, he was released by the Bills via an injury settlement after being placed on injured reserve because of a neck issue.

After a single season with the Kansas City Chiefs, DiMarco became a staple with the Atlanta Falcons. He was selected to the Pro Bowl with them in 2015.

While with the Bills, DiMarco was more known as a locker room leader for Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott. DiMarco also was a staple on special teams.

[lawrence-related id=77813,77804,77716,77799]

Patrick DiMarco released, 2 players added to Bills practice squad

Buffalo Bills roster transactions from Sept. 8, 2020.

The Buffalo Bills made a few late Tuesday roster transactions, one of which might signal the official end of Patrick DiMarco’s tenure with the team. The moves appeared on the NFL’s transaction wire.

Placed on the injured reserve list this past weekend when the Bills cut their roster down to 53 players via the NFL’s mandated deadline to do so, DiMarco has been released via injured settlement. Considering the circumstances, the move was expected and it might signal the end of his tenure with the club.

DiMarco can re-sign with the Bills once healthy, but he was entering the final year of his contract during the 2020 season. DiMarco missed most of training camp due to a neck injury. Undrafted rookie free agent Reggie Gilliam will assume fullback duties for the Bills, but will also lineup at tight end, according to Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott.

On the practice squad, the Bills released two players to make room for two the team previously had reported interest in. Wide receiver Jake Kumerow joins the Bills’ practice squad after he was previously cut by the Packers. He caught 20 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns over the last two seasons, including career-highs in catches (12) and receiving yards (219) last year.

In addition, defensive tackle Chris Slayton, a 2019 product of Syracuse selected in the seventh round by the Giants, also joins the Bills practice squad. Slayton spent most of his rookie season on the Giants’ practice squad.

In corresponding moves for Kumerow and Slayton, the Bills released offensive lineman Brandon Walton and tight end Nate Becker.

[lawrence-related id=69516,69512,69509,69503]

3 things we learned from Sean McDermott, post-roster cuts

Takeaways from Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott following roster cuts.

Team personnel is more the forte of Bills general manager Brandon Beane. Following roster cuts over the weekend, Beane broke down the series of roster transactions the Bills went through over the past few days himself, but Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott gave some insight onto things from a coaching perspective as well,

Here are three things we learned from McDermott following roster cuts:

Bills head coach Sean McDermott. (James P. McCoy/The Buffalo News via AP, Pool)

Can’t give ’em an inch

Across the NFL this week, teams have already started to release their depth charts ahead of the season-opening weekend en route. Heck, Buffalo’s first opponent, the Jets, dropped theirs already. Throughout training camp, McDermott & the Bills have been on top of reports coming out of training camp. We didn’t see the reporting we are used to. In particular, mentions of the depth chart, we put on lock down.

Evidently there’s a Wednesday deadline for teams to release their depth charts.

For the Bills, the biggest question marks on their roster sit along the offensive line. Who’s playing where without Jon Feliciano in the lineup? We can speculate that Cody Ford will move from right tackle to fill in at guard, but then on the outside it could be a few different options such as Ty Nsekhe and Daryl Williams. We’ll find out the answers on Wednesday, it appears. When asked if the O-line depth chart has been settled, McDermott said he’s going to take this one to the finish line.

“I think we’ll know a bit more after practice today… I’ll get that to you guys on Wednesday,” McDermott said. “I’ll get that to you guys as soon as I can on Wednesday.”

But no worries, guys (and the Jets). We’re almost there.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

Most surprising decisions made by Bills on roster cut-down weekend

A list of the Buffalo Bills’ most spurring moves made over the roster cut-down weekend.

Over this past weekend, the NFL and Bills made a lot of decisions. Plenty of tough ones, too. The objective was to get down to 53 players on team rosters ahead of the 2020 regular season. Just last week, most teams in the league had near 80 players, and each team had to fill out a practice squad as well.

In breaking things down and allowing the dust to settle, the Bills certainly did make a few surprising decisions. To catch you up, we’ll go through some of those now:

Bills quarterback Jake Fromm (10) hands off the ball to Bills quarterback Davis Webb. (James P. McCoy/The Buffalo News via AP, Pool)

Jake Fromm sticks

Perhaps the biggest debate out of training camp was what the Bills will do with their quarterback situation and as it turns out, they did the smart, sensible thing: Kept four of them. This was the suggested scenario we made prior to roster cut-down day as well.

While reports out of training camp were few and far between, none of them had something good to say about rookie quarterback Jake Fromm. Some speculated that the fifth-round pick was outplayed by Davis Webb and the veteran backup was actually going to be the third quarterback behind Josh Allen and Matt Barkley.

But nope, instead, it’s Fromm over Webb, who eventually made his way to the practice squad. What Sean McDermott & Co. were thinking seems to be pretty clear now.

Cut Fromm? As a rookie and a very well-known college quarterback, he was going to get claimed by someone. Webb? He’s been on and off practice squads in his career and with the Bills specifically, no one has signed him of their practice squad in recent seasons. So putting Webb out on the wavier wire was much smarter and if anything, it could just be a formality.

If Webb did outplay Fromm in camp? It would be interesting to see what the Bills do if Allen or Barkley go down. Could Webb be ahead of Fromm on the depth chart even though he’s on the practice squad? That’s speculation, but certainly a scenario most would prefer not to find out.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6

Bills place Patrick DiMarco on IR, cut two others

Buffalo Bills have cut fullback Patrick DiMarco and released two players from their roster, Vosean Joseph, Corey Thompson. Tommey Sweeney on

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.

[lawrence-related id=69263,69345,69336,69229]

Bills injury update: List grows but Stefon Diggs back at practice

Buffalo Bills injury report sees wide receiver Stefon Diggs return to practice.

Another day of movement in both directions for the Buffalo Bills’ injury report on Monday… but a huge bump in the arrow up category in terms of one player.

After missing a few days of practice, wide receiver Stefon Diggs returned to the field. He first missed the team’s scrimmage late last week then sat out again on Sunday. Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott previously indicated that Diggs had some lower back “soreness” keeping him sidelined.

But on Monday, Diggs returned to practice. He was spotted during warmups as well:

Aside from Diggs, there was plenty of moment in the opposite direction, as referenced. Wide receiver John Brown and Quinton Jefferson are both out due to illness, however, McDermott said as of now, those are not connected to COVID-19. In terms of physical aliments, Vernon Butler (hamstring), Tyler Kroft (foot), Victor Salako (back), and Quinton Spain (foot) are new additions to the list. Per McDermott via video conference prior to practice, Kroft had his foot stepped on in practice causing his injury, the same thing that occurred to him last season.

Here’s the Bills full injury list for Monday’s practice, including carryovers from the injury report late last week which have remained the same:

PUP LIST

  • TE Tommy Sweeney (foot)

OUT FOR EXTENDED PERIOD

  • OL Jon Feliciano (chest)

[lawrence-related id=69135,69087,69127,69107]

9 Bills on roster bubble who need a big final week of training camp

Nine players on the roster bubble still who need a big week of practice before 2020 cutdown day at training camp.

It seems like Buffalo Bills training camp only just began, but it’s actually already almost over. In less than a week, teams have to cut down to 53 players. By Saturday at 4 p.m., we’ll know who the Bills are heading into their 2020 season opener against the Jets with. Many of those players we already know of.

Guys like quarterback Josh Allen and cornerback Tre’Davious White aren’t near that territory, but with training camp coming to a close, there’s still plenty of guys still squarely on the roster bubble who need a big week of practice before next weekend.

With that, here are nine players on the Bills still on the roster bubble heading into the final week of camp:

CB Dane Jackson, Pittsburgh

CB Dane Jackson

It’s never a lock for a seventh-round rookie. You’re just a step away from being an undrafted rookie and that’s the case for cornerback Dane Jackson. Recently during the Bills’ training camp scrimmage, Jackson was running with the backups against the starting defense. However, even if he was with the twos, the Bills were thin at cornerback. Josh Norman (hamstring) is out and UDFA rookie Ike Brown retired this week. Since then, the Bills have added Brian Allen via free agency and there’s still Cam Lewis to consider. Jackson needs to hold both of those guys off this week if he’s going to keep a depth spot.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

Bills injury report: How long will Josh Norman be out?

Buffalo Bills injury report for the seventh day of 2020 training camp on Monday, including Josh Norman update.

The Buffalo Bills again took to training camp practice without a few names healthy on Monday, which was their seventh day of full practices this offseason. The most importance piece missing practice again was cornerback Josh Norman.

Expected to compete for the No. 2 cornerback job across from Tre’Davious White, perhaps even having a leg up on Levi Wallace to this point for the job, the 32-year-old has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. Reportedly Norman suffered the injury when he was tackled after making an interception in practice on Thursday.

Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott said via video conference on Monday that Norman will at least miss a couple more days.

“He’s out today, we’re going to take it one day at a time, it looks like it’s going to be some time here. But, we’re encouraged by his progress here to this point,” McDermott said. “We’ll see how he progresses and I think the next five days will be critical for him.”

During the Bills’ last practice on Sunday, special teams ace Taiwan Jones also suffered an injury and did not practice on Monday. On the team’s full injury report, Jones is listed as having a knee injury. Running back Christian Wade was also a new addition to the injury report, listed as having a quad injury.

Here’s the Bills full injury list for Monday, including carryovers from Sunday’s injury report which remained the same:

DID NOT PRACTICE

  • FB Patrick DiMarco (neck)
  • RB Taiwan Jones (knee)
  • RB Christian Wade (quad)
  • CB Josh Norman (hamstring)

Limited practice

  • LB Tremaine Edmunds (hip)
  • LB AJ Klein (ankle)

Non-contact practice

  • WR Robert Foster (concussion)

PUP LIST

  • TE Tommy Sweeney (foot)

OUT FOR EXTENDED PERIOD

  • OL Jon Feliciano (chest)

Notes: Edmunds and Klein practiced during a light practice on Sunday, so their injuries are no considered serious… Foster has only had one full practice with the Bills so far in training camp.

[lawrence-related id=68797,68776,68750,68747]

Bills injury report: Taiwan Jones exits practice, others return

Buffalo Bills injury report from the sixth day of their 2020 training camp.

The Buffalo Bills might be down a special teamer. According to various reports from their sixth day of training camp practices on Sunday, running back Taiwan Jones exited the practice early. WGR-550 radio reports that the 32-year-old was injured when he awkwardly stepped when downing a punt.

Jones, who was previously with the Bills from 2017-2018, re-signed with the team via free agency this offseason. He spent 2019 with the Texans. While a depth option at running back, if Jones’ injury is significant his spot on special teams will be a big hole for the team to fill.

But the injury situation was actually much brighter, overall, than it had been in previous days. Defensive tackle Ed Oliver (hip) practiced for the first time in nearly a week. Linebackers Tremaine Edmunds (hip) and AJ Klein (ankle) also returned to practice after missing the team’s last practice on Friday. Wide receiver Robert Foster (concussion) practiced in a limit fashion but in a red non-contact jersey.

Here’s the Bills full injury list for Friday, including carryovers from Friday’s injury report which remained the same:

DID NOT PRACTICE

  • FB Patrick DiMarco (neck)

PUP LIST

  • TE Tommy Sweeney (foot)

OUT FOR EXTENDED PERIOD

  • OL Jon Feliciano (chest)

Notes: QB Josh Allen, DL Quinton Jefferson, DT Vernon Butler, DT Harrison Phillips all missed practice after false-negative COVID-19 tests were reportedly found for them, they are expected to practice on Monday.

[lawrence-related id=68750,68703,68697,68694]

Bills restructure FB Patrick DiMarco’s contract

The Bills have restructured the contract of fullback Patrick DiMarco. The move was announced on the NFL’s transaction wire and was followed by details from The Buffalo News.

The Bills have restructured the contract of fullback Patrick DiMarco. The move was announced on the NFL’s transaction wire and was followed by details from The Buffalo News.

Per the report, there’s a $450,000 pay cut for DiMarco and his cap hit goes from $2.35 million to $1.9 million. His base salary also drops from $1.8 million to $1.1 million next season. He’s entering the final year of his four-year contract.

DiMarco now has per-game roster bonuses in his deal, which could total up to $250,000. What those could exactly end up being is in question, but will be interesting to see since DiMarco was sparsely part of Buffalo’s game plan on offense in recent seasons.

While playing in a minimal role, DiMarco has played in every game possible with the Bills since signing with the team. He also serves in a leadership role for the team and does play a special teams role as well.

“What he does for us Monday through Saturday, leadership wise, in the huddle leadership wise, in addition to the things you see on tape,” Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott previously mentioned on DiMarco.

Also included on DiMarco’s deal is his pro-rated signing bonus and a $50,000 workout bonus plus his salary.

[lawrence-related id=57568,57555,57549,57439]