Bills head coach Sean McDermott confirmed that veteran free agent QB Derek Anderson visited One Bills Drive on Monday, but consummating a deal has yet to take place.
"Derek was here today," he said. "Nothing is final at the present moment."
Reports first surfaced on Sunday that the Bills were pursuing Anderson as a potential addition to the roster. While McDermott didn't want to assume anything with respect to adding Anderson to the roster, it was clear he has a healthy respect for the kind of veteran wisdom he could add to what is currently a very young Bills quarterback room.
"You'd like to have that," McDermott said. "Derek, I think provides that or would provide it if it gets that far. It's important that we try to do that in every room, that you have a veteran player that offers a great example, not only on the field, but off the field as to what it should look like. We're not there from a roster standpoint to do that in every room, but that's the vision for the roster and in this case for the quarterback room."
McDermott also said he'd prefer to have three quarterbacks on his 53-man roster.
2 – Safeties Bush and Hyde to be re-evaluated
Neither Rafael Bush nor Micah Hyde were able to play in Sunday's comeback win over Tennessee. Bush was held out due to a shoulder injury and Hyde was sidelined by a groin injury.
Hyde's injury was labeled week-to-week following the Packers game in Week 4. But coach McDermott gave indication that his Pro Bowl safety is closer to a return.
"They'll be day to day," said McDermott of Bush and Hyde. "We'll just have to get a little bit better feel on them as the week progresses."
Practice squad call up Dean Marlowe filled in for Hyde on Sunday and contributed four tackles and a pass breakup.
"You look at the guys who were ready to play on Sunday, and one was a guy that was called up from the practice squad in Dean Marlowe," McDermott said.
3 – New DT Phillips brings the juice
Jordan Phillips was claimed off waivers by the Bills last Wednesday. After three days of practice, the defensive tackle was getting snaps on Sunday in the win over Tennessee.
Phillips, who logged just 17 snaps, posted three tackles including one for loss and batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage in the third quarter. He also was rather animated after each of the plays he made and exhorted the fans to get on their feet a few times during the game.
"I love the energy man. That was awesome," said McDermott. "For a guy that's only been here a couple of days to feel comfortable to not only play and execute, but get the crowd into it and with a ton of energy was fun to watch. I hope the fans appreciated that. Now we've got to find consistency, so he can continue to play at a high level and bring the juice every day at practice and every game."
Phillips lined up primarily as a three-technique defensive tackle and showed good ability to penetrate into the offensive backfield. A player that checks in at 6-6 and 341 pounds is usually deployed as a nose tackle or one-technique on the outside shoulder of the center. But the defensive staff had him lined up on the outside shoulder of the guard as he stepped in for Kyle Williams on some obvious run downs.
"When you can be that big and move like he is able to move that's usually a good thing," said McDermott. "Brandon (Beane) did a nice job with his staff and he's been a welcome addition to this point. We're still early in the process, but I look forward to continue watching him grow and develop."
Photos from all the action at New Era Field as the Bills take on the Titans Week 5.
Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field on October 7, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Fumble - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Fumble - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
\Buffalo Bills kicker Stephen Hauschka (4) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field on October 7, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Sara Schmidle
Buffalo Bills tight end Jason Croom (80) - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) touchdown Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) touchdown Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field on October 7, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) touchdown Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) touchdown celebration Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) touchdown Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) touchdown Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Touchdown Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) touchdown Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field on October 7, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field on October 7, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field on October 7, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field on October 7, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field on October 7, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills punter Corey Bojorquez (9) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills running back Chris Ivory (33) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Zay Jones (11) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (14) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills linebacker Ramon Humber (50) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Zay Jones (11) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills center Russell Bodine (66) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field on October 7, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills defensive end Trent Murphy (93) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills running back Taiwan Jones (26) - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Buffalo Bills running back Taiwan Jones (26) - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson (24) intercepts a pass Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field on October 7, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills running back Chris Ivory (33) - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (14) - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Buffalo Bills nose tackle Robert Thomas (97) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive end Trent Murphy (93) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (98) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive back Jordan Poyer (21) tackle Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills nose tackle Robert Thomas (97) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive end Trent Murphy (93) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams (95) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills running back Chris Ivory (33) - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Buffalo Bills defensive back Jordan Poyer (21) after recovering a fumble Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field on October 7, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills long snapper Reid Ferguson (69) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills running back Chris Ivory (33) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field on October 7, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field on October 7, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills tight end Charles Clay (85) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field on October 7, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills defensive back Jordan Poyer (21) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field on October 7, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Buffalo Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) cack Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive back Phillip Gaines (28) - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Buffalo Bills kicker Stephen Hauschka (4) game winning fieldgoal Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) and Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) force fumble Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field on October 7, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field on October 7, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills defensive end Trent Murphy (93) - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (98) - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Fumble Recovery Buffalo Bills defensive back Jordan Poyer (21) - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field on October 7, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills tight end Charles Clay (85) - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Buffalo Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) - Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman October 7, 2018
Buffalo Bills running back Chris Ivory (33) Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills kicker Stephen Hauschka (4) game winning fieldgoal Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field, October 7, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at New Era Field on October 7, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
