It was a move that simply had to be made. With a pair of cornerbacks recovering from injuries in Taron Johnson (shoulder) and Phillip Gaines (elbow), and the unexpected retirement of Vontae Davis, Buffalo promoted CB Ryan Lewis from the practice squad to the active roster Tuesday.
Lewis, a first-year player out of Pitt, was originally claimed off waivers by the Bills from New England. He was not active in Week 1. He was then moved off the roster last week, so Buffalo could add OL Ike Boettger off waivers.
The 6-0, 185-pound corner could be an option in the slot for the Bills if neither Gaines, nor Johnson can recover from their injuries in time to play at Minnesota on Sunday.
Head coach Sean McDermott said on Monday that he's not ruling Gaines out for Sunday's game despite suffering a dislocated elbow in last week's game.
Taron Johnson was labeled day to day after missing last week's game with a shoulder injury sustained in the season opener.
The addition of Lewis brings Buffalo's cornerback contingent up to five total with three of them healthy. Whether another addition needs to be made will likely be determined by the health of both Gaines and Johnson as the week moves along.
Bills add two to practice squad With DT Robert Thomas elevated to the active roster last week and Lewis promoted today, Buffalo had a pair of vacancies on their practice squad. They filled them on Tuesday with CB Michael Hunter and WR Hunter Sharp.
Hunter (6-0, 186) was most recently with the Denver Broncos, but did not make their 53-man roster. He began his NFL career with the New York Giants in 2016, signing as an undrafted rookie. He has appeared in six career games, all with the Giants. He also spent some time in 2017 on the New York Jets practice squad.
Sharp (6-0, 200) was last with the New York Giants, but was released during final roster cuts. He's appeared in three career games with five receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown. Sharp spent most of the 2017 season on the Denver Broncos practice squad.
Coming out of Utah State in 2016, he was originally signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted rookie.
