Always looking to churn the roster, the Buffalo Bills signed LB Jimmy Ciarlo on Wednesday. This was in direct relation to the Baylon Spector calf injury on Monday.
Ciarlo is a graduate of West Point and played for Army for four seasons, acting as captain during his senior season. He was signed as a UDFA coming out of college and latched on with the New York Jets. Unfortunately, his 2024 season was cut short by injury.
Read below for a full injury breakdown and analysis.
Injury History
College
Army
No publicly reported injuries.
NFL
2024 New York Jets
Right Torn ACL, first preseason game, missed entire season.
Ciarlo suffered a knee injury late in the third quarter of the first preseason game against the Washington Commanders on a punt return. This happened when he attempted to react to the punt returner changing direction and Ciarlo planting his right foot, attempting to slow down and pivot, tearing the ligament. Following the game, he was diagnosed with a torn right ACL, ending his season. He spent the entire season on injured reserve.
Buffalo Bills Injury Analysis
Obviously the biggest issue is Ciarlo coming off the torn ACL just shy of a full year removed. However, he is still within the two-year window to either re-tear his ACL or tear the contralateral side with this risk staging increased until the two-year mark. Furthermore, there are notable decreases in games played, games started, and overall snap counts compared to controls.
Only 38.1 percent of linebackers were in the league two years after the injury and 25 percent are in the league after three seasons. What this doesn’t account for is moving up a level of competition from college to the NFL and a lost year of reps due to his previous injury. It also isn’t known whether he had additional damage or if this was an isolated tear.
As Ciarlo didn’t really see NFL competition last year he has an uphill battle increasing his level of competition. Coming off the injury doesn’t help his chances but considering who he replaces in Baylon Spector, he has a legit chance to make the active roster or at the very least a practice squad member. Having his military background from a leadership aspect and attention to detail can only help his chances.
He has had interest from other teams recently when he worked out for the New York Giants and New England Patriots.
There’s no downside to this roster move and the Bills may be getting talent on the cheap coming off injury with something to prove.
I would like to welcome Jimmy Ciarlo to Buffalo and to remain healthy this season.
Top Photo Credit: Andrew Mills/NJ.com
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