Quinton

Spain

Spain was rolled up as Joe Burrow was sacked late in the second quarter. He was ruled out following the half. Jackson Carman replaced him at left guard.

Cut seven months into a “three-year” deal by the Bills last season, Spain latched on with the Bengals, where he became a starter down the stretch. As was the case in Buffalo, Spain was something of a liability as a starter, though he at least gives one of the league’s worst offensive lines some experienced depth. 2021 will be Spain’s age-30 campaign.

Spain was released from Buffalo last week. Signing a practice squad deal gives him time to rehab the foot injury that cost him two of the last three games. Spain should make the active roster when healthy.

This comes as a surprise after Buffalo gave Spain a three-year extension in the offseason. Spain has missed two of the last three games with a foot injury. The Bills are moving forward with Brian Winters and Cody Ford as their starting guards. Releasing Spain has a $3.5 million dead cap hit but saves Buffalo $1.25 million this year.

Signed away from the Titans last spring, Spain started all 16 games for the first time in his career. Spain allowed zero sacks, though he did earn highly-negative marks from Pro Football Focus due to what the site determined was poor run blocking. Spain was always a replacement-level player in Tennessee. He turns 29 in August.

The Bills added C Mitch Morse, RG Spencer Long, RT Ty Nsekhe, and second-round rookie Cody Ford in an overhaul of their trenches this offseason, but Spain was still set to start on the interior. Time will tell on his status for Week 1, but it doesn’t look good initially. The team should have an update over the weekend.

Spain is a month removed from surgery. He worked at both guard spots before going down and should be locked in as a Week 1 starter. The Bills overhauled their offensive line this offseason, adding Spain, C Mitch Morse, RG Spencer Long, RT Ty Nsekhe, and second-round rookie Cody Ford.

Part of Buffalo’s offensive line makeover, Spain was working as the first-team right guard at OTAs before suffering the injury. Assuming he is healthy, he should handle one of the guard spots this year. Second-round rookie Cody Ford, Spencer Long, and fifth-round sophomore Wyatt Teller are also in the mix.

Offensive line has been a priority this offseason in Buffalo, as Spain joins C Mitch Morse, RG Spencer Long, RT Ty Nsekhe, OG Jon Feliciano, and OT LaAdrian Waddle as newcomers. Spain started 42-of-48 games for the Titans the last three seasons and graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 40 guard out of 81 qualifiers in 2018. He gives Buffalo yet another option to push second-year LG Wyatt Teller.

Buffalo also hosted CB Neiko Thorpe. The 27-year-old was a four-year starter in Tennessee, grading out as PFF’s No. 40 guard last season. Wyatt Teller and John Miller worked as the Bills’ starting guards last season.