The Buffalo Bills have activated defensive tackle DaQuan Jones from the injured reserve list after he missed nine games with a torn pectoral muscle that necessitated surgery earlier in the season.
“I’m excited, put a lot of work in to get to this point and I’m just happy that my body was able to heal as quickly as it did,” Jones told reporters on Friday. “I’ve had no issues in practice and and I pushed it pretty well in everything I did…. I’m confidence in my ability to play at a high level.”
In addition, the Bills have signed OL Germain Ifedi back to the practice squad and released S Tre Norwood. Jones is currently on the 53-man roster and is anticipated to play.
Jones suffered an injury in the Bills’ Week 5 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, and his return strengthens Buffalo’s defensive front ahead of their Week 17 matchup with the New England Patriots. Jones had 2.5 sacks and 10 total tackles prior to the injury and had started all five games prior to his injury in London.
Jones’ return will offer depth to a defensive front that has been among the finest in the league this season, with defensive lineman Jordan Phillips facing surgery for a wrist injury suffered against Dallas. The Bills’ 50% pass rush victory rate ranks fourth in the NFL. Jones’ strength as a run stopper will help the Bills improve their run prevention defence, which currently ranks 20th in the league.
McDermott acknowledged the Bills’ patience in reintegrating Jones back into their defensive game plan while Jones recovers from a serious injury.
“I think the biggest thing is managing expectations in terms of what he’s able to do,” McDermott said in an interview. “I think a lot of times when you see a player come back, everyone else goes, ‘okay, we can relax.'” We have to moderate expectations about how much he’ll be able to play and what he’ll be able to do in his first game back after [ten games].”
