The Bills currently have two veterans starting at inside linebacker in Andra Davis and Reggie Torbor, but they appear interested in potentially adding another. Buffalo hosted free agent LB Nick Barnett at training camp at St. John Fisher Saturday.
The 30-year old Barnett was released this past Friday by the Green Bay Packers. A former first-round pick in 2003 (29th overall) Barnett has been the Packers starting inside or middle linebacker since the start of his career with six 100-tackle seasons.
According to reports Barnett also has a free agent visit scheduled with the Detroit Lions today (Sunday).
Last year Barnett's season was cut short after he suffered a wrist injury in a Week 4 game against Detroit that required surgery. Back in 2008 he tore a knee ligament in a game against Minnesota and missed the last seven games that season. He did come back and play a full season in 2009 registering 105 tackles, four sacks and seven pass breakups.
The nine-year veteran was scheduled to take a physical with the Bills Sunday morning.
Barnett has some familiarity with Buffalo's coaching staff. Outside linebackers coach Bob Sanders served as his defensive coordinator in Green Bay from 2006-2008. He was also a former college teammate of Bills defensive lineman Dwan Edwards at Oregon State.
Buffalo lost former starting inside linebacker Paul Posluszny in free agency last week when he chose to sign with Jacksonville. The Bills also drafted two inside linebackers this past spring in third-round pick Kelvin Sheppard and sixth-round pick Chris White.
