As injuries continue to pile up at linebacker, the Buffalo Bills have brought back veteran linebacker Nicholas Morrow. ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg shared the news on Monday.
Nicholas Morrow, 29, first joined the Bills in March. He made the initial roster and remained with the team through the first 13 weeks of the season, primarily contributing on special teams. Morrow played 182 special teams snaps, accounting for 65% of the team’s total during that stretch, and 44 defensive snaps, or 6% of the defensive total. Before being released, he recorded three tackles for the season.
With Matt Milano recovering from a groin injury while easing back into game shape after missing over a year due to knee, fibula, and pectoral injuries, Dorian Williams managing an elbow issue, and Baylon Spector dealing with injuries to both calves, the Bills found themselves in need of additional depth at linebacker.
Morrow brings veteran experience and familiarity with the defense, unlike A.J. Klein last season, who was semi-retired and preparing for an RV trip with his family before the Bills called him out of retirement to strengthen their depth during the playoffs.
Ideally, the Bills will be healthy enough that Morrow won’t have to play every down against the Kansas City Chiefs or serve as the primary coverage defender against future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce. Morrow’s likely role upon returning is to contribute primarily on special teams.
Head coach Sean McDermott shared on Monday that Baylon Spector is currently considered week-to-week due to his injury. The 26-year-old linebacker has appeared in 11 games this season, including four starts. So far in 2024, Spector has recorded 40 tackles, two tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a quarterback hit, and a fumble recovery across 291 defensive snaps and 157 special teams snaps.