**Buffalo Bills Re-Sign Phillips and Jefferson to Strengthen Injury-Hit Defense**

The Buffalo Bills have decided to look to familiar faces in Jordan Phillips and Quinton Jefferson to bolster their injury-stricken defensive line. Confirmed on Wednesday morning, the team signed both players, who had been released just a day earlier. This move comes at a crucial time after losing Dawuane Smoot and DeWayne Carter to wrist injuries, necessitating surgeries that placed them on injured reserve.

Quinton Jefferson, a 31-year-old defensive player, returns to the Bills after previously playing with them in 2020. This season, Jefferson participated in five games with the Cleveland Browns, although he was inactive for four contests. Despite the limited participation, his 140 snaps yielded six tackles and one sack, though his performance scores from Pro Football Focus were subpar against both the run and pass. Jefferson's career, spanning nine seasons, includes stints with the Seattle Seahawks, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, and Browns. With 62 career starts in 108 games, Jefferson is anticipated to play on the edge and potentially shift inside during passing situations.

Buffalo’s head coach, Sean McDermott, praised Jefferson's familiarity with the team, noting, "We've been keeping our eyes on him as he's been going through his journey over the last couple of seasons. Just taking it one day at a time and trying to put our best players on the field."

Jordan Phillips returns for his third term with the Bills despite his previous season being underwhelming, as per PFF evaluations. Last positioned with the Giants before a trade sent him to the Cowboys, Phillips saw action in two games where he was rated as Dallas’ lowest-graded defensive player. Despite bringing significant heft at 330 pounds and a solid grasp of the Bills’ defensive strategies, some suggest elevating practice squad player Eli Ankou might have been a wiser move.

Discussing the decision, McDermott mentioned, "Each situation is different. Jordan Phillips was released from his other team, as was Q, so who knows where that will go? They haven't played a lot with their old clubs. So we've got to see if they're in shape and fit to play and just take it one step at a time."

With Phillips and Jefferson back in the fold, the Bills are aiming to stabilize their defensive lineup amidst an unfortunate wave of injuries. The team hopes their return can bring much-needed stability and experience to the field.