The Buffalo Bills just can’t stay away from familiar faces signing S Jordan Poyer on Wednesday to the practice squad. This comes after bringing back DT Jordan Phillips to the practice squad following roster cut downs.
Poyer comes back to Buffalo after one unremarkable season with the Miami Dolphins. He has had his share of injuries over the years with many of them in Buffalo but several in Miami last year.
Read below for a full injury history of Jordan Poyer and analysis.
Injury History
2013 Philadelphia Eagles/Cleveland Browns
Toe injury, Week 16, missed 0 games.
2014 Browns
No publicly reported injuries.
2015 Browns
Shoulder injury, Week 7, missed 2 games.
2016 Browns
Lacerated kidney/bruised liver, Week 6, went to IR, missed 10 games.
2017 Buffalo Bills
Right MCL sprain, Week 7, missed 1 game.
2018 Bills
Right finger injury, Week 13, missed 0 games.
2019 Bills
Head injury/stinger, Week 5, missed 0 games.
2020 Bills
No publicly reported injuries.
2021 Bills
Left ankle injury, Week 3, missed 1 game, listed as day-to-day.
Right shoulder injury, suffered in Wednesday practice prior to Week 9, missed 0 games.
Right shoulder injury, Week 16, missed 0 games.
Confirmation of right shoulder due to kinesiotape on the right shoulder during Week 17 game. Later confirmed in the offseason, a partial rotator cuff tear did not require surgery in the offseason.
2022 Bills
Hyperextended left elbow, suffered on August 2, missed three preseason games, practiced in full for Week 1.
Foot injury Week 2, missed 0 games.
Different sources report that this was a foot sprain, other sources including Jordan Poyer’s mom indicate the foot was broken.
Fractured ribs, Week 4, missed 1 game.
As a result of the rib fracture, this caused a pneumothorax that prevented him from traveling by air with the team to Kansas City.
Left elbow reaggravation, Week 8, missed 2 games.
He played without his brace and suffered another injury to the area.
Knee, meniscus tear, Week 15, missed 0 games.
Suffered a knee injury against the Miami Dolphins, stating he had been playing on a torn meniscus for a while.
Concussion, Divisional Round of Playoffs, exited the game.
2023 Bills
Right knee injury, Week 3, missed 1 game.
Shin injury, Week 9, missed 0 games.
2024 Miami Dolphins
Right thumb fracture, July 30, returned August 12.
Left Shin, Week 4, missed 1 game.
Poyer took a helmet to his shin when he collided with a Titans player as Poyer fell into Phillips as he tore his ACL.
Finger injury, Week 13, missed 0 games.
Finger/Knee injuries, Week 16, missed 0 games.
Buffalo Bills Injury Analysis
There isn’t much new about Poyer from his time in Miami that is concerning. A broken thumb, knee, shin, and finger injuries cost him some time in the preseason and only one game due to the shin.
Most of the concerning injuries in Poyer’s career came during his time in Buffalo including his hyperextended elbow, meniscus tear, pneumothorax, rotator cuff, and others cost him time once the injuries began to take their toll in 2021. But his toughness and a willingness to play through all these injuries in order to be there for his team and a chance to win a championship is what endeared him to Bills fans.
Many of those injuries are either healed or chronic that they require maintenance or have slowed him down. His season in Miami was steady playing in 16 games, totaling 98 tackles for a team that finished 8-9, missing the playoffs. However, he is not the player he was once was as All Pro Po.
Considering he is signing to the practice squad and would act as a player-coach for the secondary like Micah Hyde did last year, there is no downside to this signing. This signing especially helps someone like Cole Bishop who needs all the help he can get if he intends to be a starter in the defense.
Besides occasional playing time or a spot start, there is really no risk in signing him as the Bills are not financially committed to him and aren’t forced to play him. However, if he is forced into extended playing time, I am concerned about his ability to hold up for a long stretch without playing through some sort of injury or decreased level of performance.
He is not the player he once was as he’s at the end of his career, but his mind is as sharp as ever which is valued more than his on-field performance. I’m excited for what Jordan Poyer brings to the locker room. Nostalgia is a hell of a drug but this is one instance where it could pay off in other ways.
I’d like to welcome Jordan Poyer back to Buffalo and to remain healthy this season.
Top Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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