Bills' third-round rookie making NFL debut in primetime vs. New England Patriots

Intriguing prospect has been declared ACTIVE for Sunday night's matchup after being inactive for the first four games of his professional career.

Aug 9, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New York Giants running back Dante Miller (25) runs past Buffalo Bills defensive end Landon Jackson (94) in the second quarter | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Landon Jackson is ready for his close-up.

The Buffalo Bills' third-round rookie edge rusher will make his NFL debut when the Bills take on the New England Patriots in a Week 5 divisional matchup.

Bills defensive edge Landon Jackson sprints off the line as he works out at St. John Fisher University Wednesday, July 23, 2025 in Pittsford. | Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Jackson has been inactive for the first four weeks of the season, but was declared active by the team leading into Sunday night’s game against the Patriots.

The former Arkansas Razorback was selected with the No. 72 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft as part of a strong commitment from the Bills to repair their defensive line this season, but failed to earn a game-day jersey in each of the first four games to begin his professional career.

That streak will come to an end against New England, as Jackson is hoping to contribute for a Buffalo defensive line that is without fellow rookie, defensive tackle T.J. Sanders (knee), and DT Ed Oliver (ankle), who are both inactive for this week’s AFC East tilt due to their respective injuries. It is the first game that Sanders has missed this season, while it is the fourth straight absence for Oliver.

Aug 17, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Landon Jackson (94) after the second half against the Chicago Bears | Matt Marton-Imagn Images

The 22-year-old recorded just one tackle through three preseason games, playing over 40% of the Bills’ defensive snaps in the team’s final two exhibition matchups. Jackson isn’t much of a factor on special teams, which is a significant factor that led to his inactivity over the first four weeks of the year.

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Buffalo and New England are set to kick off at 8:20 p.m. on NBC's Sunday Night Football.

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