The Bills have signed wide receiver and return specialist Kaelin Clay, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Clay spent part of last season with the Bills before being waived and picked up by the Panthers.
Buffalo announced the signing Thursday afternoon.
The Utah alum was drafted by the Buccanneers in the sixth round of the 2015 draft but was released in September of that season. He spent time on the Lions’ practice squad before latching on with the Ravens toward the end of his rookie season. He helped turn some heads by collecting an 82-yard punt return for a touchdown in his first game with the Ravens.
Clay, 26, spent 2016 on injured reserve and was signed to a one-year deal by the Panthers prior to the 2017 season. He was then traded to the Bills for cornerback Kevon Seymour before eventually ending up back in Carolina. In nine appearances with the Panthers last season, Clay returned another punt for a touchdown and also had five catches for 56 yards receiving.
The Bills are currently projected to have Micah Hyde return punts next season. They also have Marcus Murphy projected to return kickoffs. Clay’s addition also adds depth to the team’s receiving corps with the status of Zay Jones to open the season uncertain following an arrest earlier this month on suspicion of felony vandalism.