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Joe Andreessen celebrates at a Buffalo Bills game.
The Buffalo Bills are parting ways with a Pro Bowl linebacker and could make room for a local hero.
The team announced on Aug. 25 that it released veteran linebacker Deion Jones in the first round of cuts ahead of Tuesday’s final roster deadline. Jones had joined the team earlier in the offseason to add depth and experience to the team’s linebacker corps.
Some insiders had predicted the move after Jones struggled during training camp and his team’s three preseason games, and suggested his release could allow local star player Joe Andreessen to make the final roster.
Deion Jones is one of seven players released on Sunday
The Bills made an initial round of cuts on Sunday before trimming their roster down to the final 53 players on August 27. In addition to Jones, the Bills also released quarterback Anthony Brown, wide receiver Damiere Byrd, offensive lineman Kevin Jarvis, defensive end Rondell Bothroyd, linebacker Shayne Simon and cornerback Kyron Brown.
Jones was the most successful player of the group, starting 91 games over the course of his eight-year career. Although Jones was named to the Pro Bowl in 2017, his second season with the Atlanta Falcons, he has been a reserve for the past two seasons. Jones started three games in 13 appearances for the Carolina Panthers last season, recording 35 tackles with 1 sack.
David Kenyon of Bleacher Report had predicted that the Bills would release Jones, noting that Andreessen’s strong preseason may have earned him a spot on the roster ahead of the veteran.
“Due to injuries, there is a possibility that Deion Jones will remain in Buffalo for a while. At this point, however, the hope that Jones will return to his early career form is more of a pipe dream than anything else,” Kenyon wrote on Aug. 23. “Joe Andreessen’s recent emergence may have pushed Jones to the wrong side of the roster bubble.”
Buffalo area native applies for squad
Andreessen, who grew up in nearby Lancaster and played his final college season at the University of Buffalo before joining the Bills as an undrafted free agent, was one of the biggest surprises of the preseason.
After leading the Bills with 12 tackles in the second preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Andreessen added another eight tackles against the Panthers. He also played on special teams and was on both the coverage and return teams.
Speaking to reporters after Saturday’s game, Andreessen said it was a tumultuous experience joining his hometown team.
“I mean, last week was a little crazy,” Andreessen said, via the team’s official website. “I would say I had a lot more on my plate this week as far as responsibility and stuff like that. But yeah, I mean, I’m here to try to continue my career and do the best I can for this organization.”
Andreessen added that he has done everything he can to put together the final roster and that the decision now lies with the coaches.
“Yeah, I think I’ve proven I can play,” Andreessen said. “But you know, obviously that’s not me. I try not to worry about things that are out of my control.”
Nathan Dougherty is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, focusing on the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. He previously wrote for the Rochester Business Journal and was assistant editor of the sports magazines Coaching Management, Athletic Management and Training & Conditioning. He lives in Rochester, New York, and loves all things football. More about Nathan Dougherty
