The Buffalo Bills added cornerback Josh Norman to the practice squad on Tuesday to address their injury concerns.
Norman, a 12-year veteran, played two games with the Carolina Panthers after last season, his third stint in three years. The 35-year-old returns to Buffalo for the second time after playing nine games for the Bills in 2020, including three starts.
The Bills (3-2) have a major hole in their secondary with starting cornerback Tre’Davius White out for the season with a torn right Achilles tendon. Starter Christian Benford missed Sunday’s 25-20 loss to Jacksonville with a shoulder injury.
Norman is particularly familiar with several members of the Bills staff, including Sean McDermott, his head coach during his first four NFL seasons in Carolina. McDermott was the Panthers’ defensive coordinator at the time, while Bills defensive line coach Eric Washington held the same position in Carolina.
“I know the type of player he is throughout his career, the intensity, the size, the disruptive ability he brings to the game,” Washington said Monday. “We’re hoping to get some of the things he brings to the table as a player. I’m looking forward to seeing that.”
Norman’s playing time was reduced. Norman started 92 games in his first nine seasons at Carolina and Washington State, and has started five of 25 games over the past three seasons, including 2021 with San Francisco.
Buffalo’s defense has suffered at other positions, with starting linebacker Matt Milano (right calf) and starting tackle Da’Quan Jones (pectoral muscle) out indefinitely and requiring surgery. Both were injured in London against Jacksonville.
McDermott elected to have the Bills resume practice after the team suffered jet lag on Sunday. Players have been rested since returning home on Sunday and are scheduled to hold walkthrough drills on Wednesday and have a full practice before the Queens host the New York Giants (1-4) in Buffalo on Sunday night.
