Veteran Bills CB Hit With Warning as Season Approaches

The Buffalo Bills could have the chance to defer some of their more difficult roster decisions into the season, but the situation is leading one analyst to issue a warning to veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White.

Former Buffalo Bills corner Tre'Davious White is being linked to a move to the San Francisco 49ers

The Bills made two big additions to their defensive line in free agency, signing Larry Ogunjobi and Michael Hoecht. But the league announced days later that both would face six-game suspensions for violating rules against performance-enhancing drugs, leaving a hole in the line to start the season but also allowing the team to free up two roster spots.

That could leave them with a difficult choice once Ogunjobi and Hoecht are eligible to return, and Bruce Nolan of SB Nation’s Buffalo Rumblings believes White could be on the chopping block.

Tre White’s Roster Spot Not Secure

In an early projection of the team’s final 53-man roster, Nolan suggested that White and fellow cornerback Darrick Forrest may end up being the extra players to earn roster spots due to the pair of suspensions.

“Tre’Davious White and Darrick Forrest might be two other beneficiaries of the Hoecht/Ogunjobi suspensions who may find themselves on the outside looking in after those suspensions end, but keep an eye out for Jordan Hancock’s usage during the summer; his positional role could have a lot of impact of which, if any, of the defensive backs find themselves on the chopping block when roster spots come calling,” Nolan wrote.

White returned to the team after being released in March 2024 as part of a roster overhaul that freed up significant cap space. He spent last season splitting time between the Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens, then returned to the Bills in free agency.

Nolan also suggested that cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram, who appeared in all 17 games last season with one start, could be a candidate for the practice squad this season.

Bills Value White’s Contributions

White’s place on the roster could be more secure than Nolan implies. The team has valued his veteran leadership, using him to help first-round pick Maxwell Hairston get acclimated to the NFL.

Fellow Bills veteran Dion Dawkins, who came to the Bills in the 2017 draft class along with White, said the team is happy to have their defensive leader back.

“Tre went away to Grandma’s house, and now he’s come back, right?” Dawkins said on Thursday, via the Buffalo News. “So, he’s back home. He’s back where his family loves him and treats him exactly how he wants to be treated, and we accept Tre for who he truly is.”

White returned to the field last season after recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in 2023, his second major injury in the span of two seasons. White also torn his ACL in 2021.

The former All-Pro, who has been getting reps with the first team in training camp, said he wants to earn his place with the team.

“I’m here. So, I’m here to compete,” White said. “I’m here to play, because I put a lot of hard work in to rebuilding my body and doing things.

“So, if I’m going to work hard, I’m here to earn a job. So, that’s goal No. 1, is to continue to do the things I’m doing, to put myself in a position to showcase my best talents.”