ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Jordan Phillips has a history of departing from the Bills to explore other opportunities in his football career, whether due to personal decisions or circumstances beyond his control. Interestingly, he’s also become quite familiar with the feeling of returning to Buffalo when the moment is right.
This sentiment was again realized on Wednesday, as Phillips made his third return to the Bills. His signing followed his release from the Dallas Cowboys, which he attributed to differences regarding his seven-week stint on the injured reserve due to a wrist injury. “Seeing the smiles, and being actually wanted, it’s a hell of a drug, you know what I mean? You can do a lot for people when it’s in the right environment,” he expressed, adding that he feels completely healed. “I’m an acquired taste, and (the Bills) like my taste.”
Phillips had previously been claimed off waivers by the Bills in 2018, after the Miami Dolphins grew impatient with his inconsistent performance as a second-round pick in 2015. After a lucrative free agency period with Arizona in 2020, he found his way back to Buffalo for another two seasons in 2022, but was not re-signed last spring. “Don’t feel like I left, so yeah, I’m happy about it. Ready to get to work,” he remarked upon his return.
Also returning to Buffalo is defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson, who joined following his release from the Cleveland Browns. With nine years of experience, Jefferson had previously played for the Bills during the 2020 season. “I had some options. But I definitely wanted to come back here,” he commented. “Winning culture. They know me. They know my skill set. And it seemed like a great fit, great opportunity.”
The familiar players are expected to facilitate a smoother transition, as Buffalo (7-2) gears up to face Indianapolis (4-5) on Sunday. With minimal salary cap space, the Bills are prioritizing the improvement of a run defense that has struggled due to injuries, as they aim for a fifth consecutive AFC East title and a deeper playoff run.
Starting linebacker Matt Milano, recovering from a torn left biceps, has been sidelined since August and is not anticipated to return until next month. Additionally, rookie defensive tackle DeWayne Carter and edge rusher Dawuane Smoot are both on injured reserve with wrist injuries, slated for a return next month as well.
The Bills have conceded 120 or more rushing yards in five games this season, notably allowing 271 yards in a 35-10 defeat against Baltimore in Week 4. Last weekend, they let up 149 rushing yards in a nail-biting 30-27 victory over Miami. “As it relates to giving up the running yards we gave up last week or adding players for the future here, it’s all about trying to make our team better as much as we can,” commented head coach Sean McDermott.
On the offensive side, quarterback Josh Allen may find himself without two key receivers, Keon Coleman and Amari Cooper, both dealing with wrist injuries. While Cooper, who didn’t play in Sunday’s game, has continued to practice in limited capacity, Coleman sustained his injury against Miami and is doubtful for Sunday, according to McDermott.
If one or both receivers are unable to play, the Bills will need to lean heavily on their balanced offensive strategy, which has successfully seen 11 players catch at least one of Allen’s 17 touchdown passes so far this season. “That’s the name of the game. It’s not if you get hurt, it’s when you get hurt, right?” Allen said. “We rock with who we got. … So whatever the case is, we’ll be prepared.”
Following their last game, Allen wrapped up three consecutive second-half drives with touchdown passes going to secondary targets: receiver Mack Hollins, rookie running back Ray Davis, and third-string tight end Quintin Morris. Despite working with a somewhat patchy group of receivers prior to Cooper’s acquisition via trade with Cleveland three weeks ago, Allen’s touchdown production has remained robust. Last season at this point, he had recorded 18 touchdown passes through nine games, with Buffalo scoring 30 or more points in six contests this season, matching last year’s total.
“It doesn’t matter how we win, we’re just trying to find a way to get one more point,” offensive coordinator Joe Brady stated on Monday. “It can be different every game, whether we have to throw it, whether we have to run it a lot, whether we have to be a little more balanced.”