Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott characterized the team’s recent acquisition of veteran cornerback Darius Slay as “unfortunate.” Slay has yet to report to the Bills while he considers his future in the NFL and the possibility of retirement. Currently, he remains on the Bills’ 53-man roster.
The Bills claimed Slay off waivers on Wednesday after he was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers. In a strategic move, the team let go of cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram, intending to potentially re-sign him later. However, Ingram was subsequently claimed by the Houston Texans, marking a significant shift for the Bills’ defensive lineup.
“I’m a huge Ja’Marcus Ingram fan and will always be, so I’m always going to be in his corner and want the best for him,” McDermott expressed. His focus now remains on preparing for the upcoming game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Slay discussed his decision not to report to the Bills during an appearance on the “Speakeasy” podcast. He noted that the current phase of his career, along with a desire to prioritize family, influenced his choice. “Mostly, it’s a family decision,” Slay explained. “So, we just see how it goes, though. But I’m going to take it day by day.”
When questioned about whether he would have reported to the Philadelphia Eagles, who also placed a waiver claim for him, Slay did not provide a definitive answer. According to a source, the Bills secured Slay due to having a higher priority in the waiver order.
Despite the circumstances, Slay spoke positively about the Bills organization, indicating that the timing of their claim was not ideal for him. McDermott refrained from discussing the likelihood of Slay joining the team but wished him well. “I’m really going to focus on our team right now,” he said. “So, focus on our team and coaching this game in a couple days here, and I wish him the best, him and his family.”
As the Bills prepare for their matchup against the Bengals, they will be missing linebacker Terrel Bernard due to an elbow injury and defensive end Joey Bosa, who is dealing with a hamstring issue. Additionally, wide receiver Joshua Palmer is listed as doubtful, while tight end Dalton Kincaid and right tackle Spencer Brown are expected to be questionable for the game.
With the Bills facing critical injuries, McDermott’s focus will be on ensuring the team’s readiness for a competitive game as they navigate these recent developments.
