The Buffalo Bills sent shockwaves through the NFL on Wednesday morning, announcing the signing of former Alabama defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis to their practice squad. This strategic move bolsters an already formidable defensive line, positioning the Bills as a force to be reckoned with in the 2025 season.
Mathis, a 2022 second-round draft pick, became available after being waived by the New York Jets on August 21. The Jets’ decision came on the heels of acquiring defensive tackles Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs in trades with the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns, respectively. Buffalo pounced on the opportunity, filling the practice-squad vacancy left by kicker Matt Prater, who was elevated to the active roster after a clutch performance in the Bills’ thrilling 41-40 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Prater’s game-winning 32-yard field goal capped a high-octane matchup, though the Ravens exposed Buffalo’s run defense, racking up 238 rushing yards.
Mathis brings a wealth of potential to Buffalo’s defensive front. A standout at Alabama, where he played in 55 games, Mathis has faced adversity early in his NFL career. A knee injury on the third snap of his rookie season sidelined him for the entire 2022 campaign. In 2023, a preseason calf injury landed him on injured reserve, causing him to miss the first seven games. However, Mathis showed resilience last season with the Washington Commanders, logging a career-high 257 defensive snaps across 12 games before being waived on December 28 to make room for another Alabama star, Jonathan Allen, returning from injury.
Despite being claimed by the Jets, Mathis did not see game action in New York’s final contest of the season. Now, with a fresh start in Buffalo, the 6-foot-4, 312-pound tackle is poised to make an impact. NFL practice squads allow up to 16 players who train alongside the active roster but typically do not play in games. However, teams can elevate two practice-squad players to active status for each game, up to a maximum of three elevations per player per season. Mathis’s addition gives the Bills flexibility to unleash him when needed, particularly against run-heavy opponents like the Ravens.
The timing of this signing is critical as the Bills prepare to face the Jets at noon CDT on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The matchup carries extra intrigue with Mathis now on Buffalo’s roster, potentially facing his former team. His physicality and Alabama pedigree could help shore up a run defense that struggled in Week 1, complementing stars like Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones to create what may be the NFL’s most intimidating defensive line.
With Mathis in the fold, the Bills are signaling their intent to dominate the trenches. As the AFC East rivalry heats up, Buffalo’s “Beast Mode” is officially activated, and the league is on notice.