Jordan

Poyer

The Bills waived Poyer, but it is likely just a formality while the team signs Gabe Davis to the practice squad. Davis will be moved to the injured list with Poyer re-joining the practice squad afterward. The 34-year-old started 16 games for the Dolphins last season after spending seven seasons in Buffalo prior.

Poyer made first-team All-Pro in 2021 and went to the Pro Bowl in 2022 while playing with the Bills. The 34-year-old safety spent 2024 with the Dolphins, where he started 16 games and had 98 tackles. The Bills already have Cole Bishop and Taylor Rapp as starting safeties, though Bishop has had a shaky training camp and preseason. The Bills also signed to their practice squad QB Shane Buechele, RB Frank Gore Jr., WR Stephen Gosnell, WR Kristian Wilkerson, TE Keleki Latu, OL Travis Clayton, OL Dan Feeney, OL Kendrick Green, DT Zion Logue, DT Jordan Phillips, LB Jimmy Ciarlo, LB Keonta Jenkins, CB Daequan Hardy, CB Dane Jackson and S Sam Franklin.

Poyer is the only Dolphin ruled out for Week 5, though they have more than their fair share of players on injured reserve and the PUP list. Poyer had 19 combined tackles through three games and was playing nearly every defensive snap for Miami before suffering the shin injury in Week 5. Though his loss will hurt the Dolphins’ secondary, the Patriots aren’t the team you’d expect to take advantage of such a weakness.

Poyer went down with the shin injury on Monday versus the Titans and did not return. He has started all four games for Miami this year and has 19 combined tackles. The Dolphins are already banged up on defense and can hardly afford to lose another starter heading into Week 5.

Poyer did not have a recorded tackle before leaving. The 33-year-old safety had 19 tackles in his first three starts with the Dolphins. Miami will use more Marcus Maye with Poyer out.

Cut by the Bills six days ago, Poyer is now headed (far) south to link up with division-rival Miami. One month shy of his 33rd birthday, Poyer had spent the past seven years in Buffalo, turning in a sustained stretch of plus play, albeit one occasionally interrupted by minor injury. Despite his advancing age, Poyer’s release was all about the cap and not his effectiveness. He’s a fall-off risk any given season now because of those advancing years, but he forms a strong on-paper tandem with Jevon Holland.

Including the playoffs, Poyer appeared in and started 18 games for the Bills in 2023. He broke up four passes, logged one sack, and was credited with 100 total tackles in the regular season alone. Still playing at a high level, Poyer was cut solely for cap purposes. The Bills, who were $42.2 million over the cap before this move, have some hard decisions to make this offseason and Poyer was one of them. Poyer will turn 33 years old before the start of the 2024 season but will still have plenty of suitors in free agency. He should find a new home as a starting safety well before the start of the season.

Poyer missed Week 4 with the knee issue after sitting out of practice for all three sessions. His return to practice on Wednesday, even in a limited capacity, bodes well for his odd of suiting up on Sunday. The Bills take on the Jags in London this week.

Poyer has struggled through the lingering knee issue and will miss a big AFC East game this Sunday against Miami. His absence is a boon for the Dolphins red-hot passing attack. Pro Football Focus grades Buffalo as the league’s second best coverage unit through Week 3.