The Buffalo Bills are shaking things up again right before kickoff, elevating wideout Greg Dortch and running back Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad for tonight’s critical game against the Detroit Lions. This isn’t a one-off move; it’s the second straight week these two have been called up, showing a pattern that’s definitely raising some eyebrows around the league.
Is Frank Gore Jr. Stealing Snaps?
Let’s talk about Frank Gore Jr., our 24-year-old running back. He saw action against the Houston Texans in that wild 36-31 victory, playing 11 snaps on offense. Now, 11 snaps might not sound like a ton, but dig into this: he was mainly out there as a pass protector on third downs, which is a seriously critical role! He also picked up one carry for three yards in the win. Here’s the kicker, though, and this is where it gets interesting for every Bills fan out there: those 11 snaps were more than *twice* as many as Ray Davis, our 2025 First-Team All-Pro, who only played five snaps in that same game. What does that tell you about what the coaching staff sees in Gore Jr.? His continued elevation also absolutely casts doubt on running back Ty Johnson’s availability. Johnson missed the Houston game as he’s still battling back from a hamstring injury he picked up way back in early August. It’s clear the Bills need Gore Jr. as insurance, and maybe even more.
Dortch: Our Special Teams Ace Is Back
Then there’s Greg Dortch, our 28-year-old special teams dynamo. This guy was a workhorse in the Houston game! He wasn’t just handling punt return duties, taking two returns for ten yards; he was also lining up as the team’s second kickoff returner right alongside the aforementioned Ray Davis. Dortch powered through three kickoff returns, averaging a solid 27.3 yards per return. Talk about making an impact where it counts! It’s worth noting he didn’t get any snaps on offense in that game, but his value on special teams is undeniable. Dortch’s journey to this moment is also pretty wild: he spent this offseason with the Detroit Lions, actually, before they released him on August 30 during their final roster cuts. Luckily for us, the Bills scooped him up for the practice squad.
Both Dortch and Gore Jr. now have just one more elevation remaining under NFL rules. If the Bills want to keep using either player after that third call-up, they’ll have to make a permanent move and sign them to the active roster. Tonight’s game against the Detroit Lions is huge, not just for the standings, but also to see how these two guys perform and what it means for the Bills’ roster plans moving forward. You know we’ll be watching every snap tonight to see what these crucial elevations mean for our team!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Buffalo Rumblings.
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