Bills open backup's activation window after RT Spencer Brown injures shoulder

The Buffalo Bills are setting the table for a second-year offensive tackle to return and provided much-needed depth down the season stretch

Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Tylan Grable (68) against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship Game | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Bills' latest transaction is likely in response to the shoulder injury suffered by starting right tackle Spencer Brown in Week 12.

On Monday, the Bills officially opened the 21-day practice window for offensive tackle Tylan Grable, who has been on Injured Reserve since the season's start. Buffalo must move him onto the active roster before the three-week period expires or lose him to season-ending IR.

MORE: Bills considering unemployed former first-round pick as potential pass rush insurance

Grable, a 2024 sixth-round draft pick, suffered a concussion during training camp in early August. He did not appear in any of the Bills' three preseason games.

Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Tylan Grable tries to keep offensive tackle Chase Lundt at bay at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford on July 24, 2025. | Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Bills' tackle depth

Brown was forced to leave the November 20 road loss to the Houston Texans with Ryan Van Demark stepping in at right tackle for the game's final 13 offensive snaps. Earlier in the game, Van Demark spelled left tackle Dion Dawkins for four reps so the starter could undergo a sideline evaluation.

Although Brown's official injury and recovery timeline are unknown, it seems unlikely that the veteran starter will be available at any time in the next few weeks. While not offering much information on Brown's availability moving forward, Bills' head coach Sean McDermott acknowledged "doesn't look good for this week."

With Van Demark needed to start, Buffalo's tackle depth gets thin. While the versatile Alec Anderson can step in at the position in a pinch, the Bills have only one true offensive tackle on the bench — unproven sixth-round rookie Chase Lundt.

Aug 10, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark (74) blocks Chicago Bears linebacker Micah Baskerville (47) during the second half at Highmark Stadium. | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

More about Grable

The Bills selected the Central Florida product at No. 204 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Grable impressed early on as a rookie. He earned a spot on the Week 1 active roster and appeared in the season's first three games before suffering an abdominal injury.

After spending the bulk of his rookie season on Injured Reserve, Grable returned to action in December and started at left tackle in Week 18 against the New England Patriots.

Oct 13, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights offensive lineman Tylan Grable (71) carries the ball during the second quarter against the Temple Owls at FBC Mortgage Stadium. | Mike Watters-Imagn Images

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