Bills look to add depth to secondary by signing 12-year veteran Josh Norman to practice squad.
The Buffalo Bills addressed their injury-depleted secondary depth by signing cornerback Josh Norman to their practice squad on Tuesday.
Norman is a 12-year veteran after finishing last season with two games with the Carolina Panthers, his third stop in three years. The 35-year-old will return to Buffalo to complete nine games, or three starts, in 2020 for the Bills.
The Bills (3-2) have a big hole in the secondary with starting cornerback Tre’Davous White out for the season with a torn right Achilles tendon. Rookie Christian Benford did not play in Sunday’s 25-20 loss to Jacksonville with a shoulder injury. Norman is particularly familiar with several members of the Bills staff, including head coach Sean McDermott, from his first four NFL seasons in Carolina. McDermott was the Panthers defensive coordinator at the time, while Bills defensive line coach Eric Washington held the same position in Carolina.
“I know the type of player he’s been throughout his career, the intensity he brings to the game, his size and his ability to disrupt,” Washington said Monday. “We want to get some of the things he brings to the table as a player. I’m looking forward to it.”
Norman’s playing time was reduced. After starting 92 games between Carolina and Washington in his first nine seasons, Norman has five starts in 25 games over the past three seasons, including 2021 with San Francisco.
FILE – Buffalo Bills cornerback Josh Norman (29) runs for a touchdown after catching a pass from Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa during the second half of an NFL football game, Jan. 3, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Buffalo Bills addressed their injury-depleted secondary depth by signing cornerback Josh Norman to their practice squad Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File)
2
See the gallery
FILE – Buffalo Bills cornerback Josh Norman (29) runs for a touchdown after catching a pass from Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3. 2021 in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Buffalo Bills addressed their injury-depleted secondary depth by signing cornerback Josh Norman to their practice squad Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File)
Buffalo’s defense is suffering elsewhere as well, with starting tight end Matt Milano (right leg) and starting tight end DaQuan Jones (chest) out indefinitely and requiring surgery. Both were injured in the London match against Jacksonville.
McDermott decided to push the Bills back to practice after the team appeared to fall behind on Sunday. The players have been out since returning home Sunday and have a walk-through practice Wednesday and a day later before Buffalo hosts the New York Giants (1-4) Sunday night.
Leave a Reply