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The Buffalo Bills' defensive backfield is in need of reinforcement on several fronts. Not only does the unit rank 31st in the NFL against the pass, allowing 285.8 yards per game, but it is also short-handed as the team prepares to host the Baltimore Ravens on November 1.
With that in mind, the Bills (5-1) executed three roster moves on the eve of their crucial AFC showdown with the Ravens (4-3) in Week 8. Buffalo's secondary is expected to be tested early and often on Sunday, especially with Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson set to return after missing three games with an ankle injury.
First, the Bills signed versatile defensive back Te'Cory Couch to the 53-man active roster. The move fills a temporary void created by safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson's one-game suspension for spitting at an opponent in Week 6. In addition, Buffalo used both of its weekly practice squad elevations on the defensive backfield, calling up veteran safety Geno Stone and cornerback AJ Woods for Sunday's game.
Beyond Gardner-Johnson's suspension, the Bills are also bracing for the possibility that starting slot cornerback Dee Alford will be inactive. Alford is officially listed as questionable with an ankle injury, while backup nickel cornerback Jordan Hancock remains on Injured Reserve. The signings of Couch and the elevation of Woods—both of whom can play in the slot—are ominous signs for Alford's availability.
Alford originally injured his ankle in Week 4 against the New England Patriots. After sitting out the Week 5 game in Los Angeles, he returned to play 43 defensive snaps in Week 6 against Las Vegas. However, after limited participation in Wednesday's practice, Alford missed the next two days, suggesting he may have re-aggravated the injury.
Couch, now in his third season as a Bills practice squad player, appears to be the next man up if Alford cannot play. He has already made two appearances as a practice squad elevation this season, logging 21 special teams snaps in Weeks 3 and 4. Woods, meanwhile, has been with five different NFL organizations since 2024 but has yet to appear in a regular-season game. He spent this past summer with the Atlanta Falcons before joining the Bills on October 6.
Key Analysis
With veteran Damar Hamlin stepping in to start for Gardner-Johnson, the Bills lack proven depth at safety. While fifth-round rookie Jalon Kilgore may have a promising future, he has limited experience at this level. That makes the elevation of Stone a logical move; Stone started 34 consecutive games for the Cincinnati Bengals before joining Buffalo this past offseason. Fittingly, Stone will make his Bills debut against the team that drafted him in the seventh round (No. 219 overall) in 2020. In 2023, Stone led all NFL safeties with seven interceptions, while teammate Kyle Hamilton was second on the Ravens with four.
The Bills host the Ravens at Highmark Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.