Amid Buffalo Trade TaIk, Injuries Force Signing of Free Agent CB Xavier Rhodes
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There is a new Bills corner in Buffalo.
Is it a bloated and corny cliche to call NFL football "a game of attrition''?
At this moment, there is no way the Buffalo Bills see it that way ... And there might be no way to remedy it without making a meaningful move.
That move for now? A Wednesday signing of former Pro Bowl corner Xavier Rhodes, 31, once upon a time a Minnesota first-round pick when Bills coordinator Leslie Frazier was there.
"We always like to start inside the building, in terms of the guys that are here working and working hard and developing,'' said Bills coach Sean McDermott, reflecting on team-wide injury issues that have especially decimated the otherwise-talented secondary. "If we need to, though, we will go outside the building ...
"The numbers may call for that. We will see."
And now we do see.
The Bills entered the Week 3 showdown in Miami down an assortment of starters, and in the emotional 21-19 loss to the undefeated Dolphins may have sustained injury issues to as many as 10 more guys.
Most notable: the secondary.
Bills top cornerback Tre'Davious White (knee) is on PUP and is ineligible to return until Week 5, if that soon. Star safety Micah Hyde (neck) was placed on injured reserve Saturday and is out for the season. His All-Pro running mate, safety Jordan Poyer, missed Week 3 with a foot injury. And now starting rookie cornerback Christian Benford has a broken right hand.
How deep is the roster? How much talent is stashed on the practice squad? How many street free agents can really step in and help a Super Bowl contender by serving as rotational players and maybe even starters? For now, Rhodes, who will open on the practice squad, is the helper.
This might work. Or it may call for a big swing from GM Brandon Beane.
Corny? No.
Needy? Yes.
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