With an open roster spot for use as they saw fit, the Bills signed offensive lineman Jonathan Scott on Wednesday. The 6'6" 318-pound offensive tackle was most recently with the Detroit Lions before he was released at the start of the season.
"He's just an offensive tackle that we've liked," said head coach Dick Jauron. "We had worked him out earlier in the year. He's an athletic guy and we thought this time of year for next year, training camp and stuff those offensive tackles are so hard to find. So hopefully it will work out well."
Scott, who will wear jersey number 79 for Buffalo, was a former fifth-round pick of the Lions in the 2006 draft, but could never land a starting job with Detroit. He has six starts to his credit in his NFL career and has appeared in 20 games. Scott finished the 2007 season on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury.
"I'm ready to knock off the dust," said Scott. "I haven't hit somebody in about 12 weeks."
The third-year pro is eager to get a fresh start after being released by Detroit at the end of August.
"I've just got to be focused on doing my job and doing it well and be an addition to the team," said Scott. "It's hard to say what my role is now, but I'm looking forward to coming in for the offseason and training camp and getting after it."
Buffalo now has 10 offensive linemen on their roster including five offensive tackles.
The roster opening was created when Aaron Schobel was placed on injured reserve last week. Another roster opening could be created if wide receiver James Hardy is placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn ACL last Sunday against the Jets.
