A dearth of healthy talent at running back and a consistent pursuit to bolster the strongest part of their team led to a pair of signings by the Bills on Wednesday.
With each of the five running backs that reported to camp for the Bills now injured, Buffalo had to reinforce their roster. The club signed free agent RB Cierre Wood giving them three healthy running backs heading into Thursday's preseason game with Cleveland. He'll join a pair of undrafted rookies in Buffalo's offensive backfield in Bronson Hill and Ricky Seale.
Wood, 24, was originally signed as an undrafted rookie in 2013 by the Houston Texans where he appeared in three games. Following his release from Houston midseason, he was signed to New England's practice squad. Released again just prior to the end of his rookie season, Wood was signed in the 2014 offseason by Baltimore, but was released in the first round of cuts last summer.
He spent some time on Seattle's practice squad late in the 2014 season.
Buffalo's defensive line is the strength of their team, but that hasn't stopped them from stockpiling talent up front. On Wednesday the Bills made their second defensive line signing in as many days as veteran DL Red Bryant inked a deal with the club.
Bryant, 31, worked out for the Bills late Monday afternoon and contract negotiations ensued soon thereafter.
Bryant (6-4, 323) was a big free agent signing of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014, but was released this past March in a cap space maneuver. The defensive linemen has been a durable player missing just one game in the last four seasons.
He also won a Super Bowl with Seattle in 2013, the team that made him a fourth-round pick in 2008.
To create room on the roster for Bryant and Wood the Bills released TE Chris Manhertz and CB Rod Sweeting.
