With E.J. Gaines questionable for this weekend’s game with a groin injury, the Bills have added a defensive back to their roster. ESPN’s Mike Rodak reports (via Twitter) that the team has promoted cornerback Greg Mabin from the practice squad. To make room on the roster, the Bills have released wide receiver Philly Brown.
Gaines, who has started each of his team’s first four games, suffered the injury during the second half of last weekend’s win over the Falcons. So far this season, the 25-year-old has compiled 19 tackles and two forced fumbles, and Pro Football Focus rates him 18th among 109 eligible cornerbacks. If Gaines does miss time, Mabin surely won’t be replacing him in the lineup. The undrafted rookie out of Iowa certainly had a productive collegiate career, but he’s bounced around the league over the past few months. In the event that Gaines misses the contest, it’s more likely the team turns to Leonard Johnson or Shareece Wright to take his starting spot.
Brown, a former standout at Ohio State, joined the Bills this offseason following three seasons with the Panthers. His best season came in 2015, when he hauled in 31 receptions for 447 yards and four touchdowns. He also has experience running the ball, as he’s collected 16 career carries. He’s yet to get into a regular season game in 2017. With Brown released and Jordan Matthews set to miss several weeks, the Bills are now only rostering four healthy wideouts in Zay Jones, Andre Holmes, Kaelin Clay, and Brandon Tate.