Buffalo Bills Elevated Pro Bowl Star to Active Roster to Block Patriots Signing

Orchard Park, NY – October 12, 2025

In a calculated move to secure a key defensive asset, the Buffalo Bills have promoted Pro Bowl safety Jordan Poyer from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster, according to league sources. The decision, made just before the NFL trade deadline, is seen as a direct response to interest from the rival New England Patriots, who were reportedly preparing to claim or sign the veteran defensive back amid Buffalo's injury concerns in the secondary.

Poyer, a 34-year-old, one-time Pro Bowler with 12 seasons of experience across teams like the Bills, Browns, Eagles, and Dolphins, had been placed on the practice squad earlier this season after a crowded safety room and a minor ankle injury limited his snaps. Despite his reduced role, Poyer’s career stats—618 solo tackles, 287 assists, 12.0 sacks, and 24 interceptions—underscored his value. Sources indicate the Patriots, reeling from a 2-4 start and a secondary allowing 26.7 points per game, targeted Poyer to bolster their defense around young QB Drake Maye.

The Patriots’ interest intensified after losing starting safety Kyle Dugger to a shoulder injury. New England reportedly reached out to Buffalo multiple times, exploring a low-cost, one-year deal to lure Poyer to Foxborough. “The Bills saw the writing on the wall,” an AFC East scout noted. “Poyer’s a proven playmaker, and letting him walk to a rival like the Pats would’ve been a gut punch, especially with the division race heating up.”

The activation addresses a pressing need for Buffalo, whose secondary has struggled with depth following injuries to starters like Damar Hamlin. Poyer, who recorded 98 combined tackles in 2024 with Miami, will now slot into the rotation alongside Taylor Rapp and Cole Bishop as early as this Sunday’s primetime showdown against the Patriots. Head coach Sean McDermott lauded Poyer’s return: “Jordan’s a leader and a difference-maker. Getting him back on the active roster is huge for our defense and our locker room.”

For New England, the move disrupts their plans to fortify a defense that ranks 25th in pass yards allowed. GM Mike Vrabel, known for bold roster moves, shifted focus to signing undrafted rookie safety Jalen Reagor off waivers from the Giants, but sources confirm Poyer was their primary target. “We move forward with what we’ve got,” Vrabel said. “Our guys know what’s at stake.”

Bills fans took to social media with enthusiasm, with #PoyerPower trending in Buffalo as supporters celebrated keeping the veteran out of New England’s hands. The activation strengthens Buffalo’s 4-2 squad, which leads the AFC East, and ensures Poyer’s experience remains in Orchard Park through at least the 2025 season.

As the AFC East rivalry intensifies, Poyer’s return sets the stage for a heated clash at Highmark Stadium this Sunday. Will his presence tip the scales for Buffalo, or will the Patriots regroup and strike back? The answer awaits in this pivotal divisional matchup.