Having spent seven years in Buffalo, safety Jordan Poyer is ready to step up for the Bills once again. After suffering a pectoral injury during practice earlier this week, the Bills do not have the luxury of safety Damar Hamlin. But knowing what Poyer can pull off, head coach Sean McDermott does not have to worry about his road game against the Falcons. And even after he has yet to play a game this season, the 34-year-old veteran is ready to give his all.

“Big fan of D-Ham,” Poyer told Ryan Talbot. “A great friend of mine. Somebody who I played a lot of football with.” As for the team, he added, “I feel like I played a lot of football in my life.” “So, you know that is the case, I’ll be ready to play out there and play how I play.”

The Pro Bowler will get the chance if the Bills decide to move him from the practice squad to the active roster. He’s done that before, gaining recognition as one of the league’s top safeties. While he didn’t have the best season with the Miami Dolphins, last season, starting 16 games without recording an interception, he hopes to finish his career contributing massively to the Bills.

During his free agency period this year, Poyer shared that he felt that he’s nearing retirement after 12 years in the league. He recorded  24 interceptions, 904 tackles, and 12 sacks during his career. And he would “absolutely” love one chance with the Bills before that time comes.

“Whatever that looks like…,” Poyer told Good Morning Football. “It’d be dope, it’d be ideal to have a fantasy ending and be able to retire a Bill, but who knows? I’m just being an open book right now, really enjoying life for what it is.”

Considering his experience with the Bills’ defense and Coach McDermott’s approach, Poyer was a compelling choice for the team. So, it wasn’t a surprise when the team brought him back in August. It may have been humbling to start on the practice squad, but his leadership and experience still carry weight in the locker room.

And now, with Damar out for at least four games, the team might look to lean on the veteran.

The Buffalo Bills placed Damar Hamlin on IR

During practice earlier, Hamlin sustained a pectoral injury, appearing on the Bills’ injury report on October 9. He didn’t practice in the following days. Soon, Coach McDermott announced that the player had been placed on IR. The team’s third safety can be expected to show up in Week 12 when the Bills face the Houston Texans. The same goes for defensive tackle T.J. Sanders, who has been dealing with knee issues and has also been placed on IR.

The issue is that while Hamlin’s injury might not be season-ending, at least for now, HC McDermott didn’t appear confident.

“Don’t know on either of ’em really,” McDermott said when asked if both the players’ injuries were season-ending. “Feel a little bit better about T.J. Damar is up in the air at this point.”

As for the coach, he will also have defensive tackle Jordan Phillips on the practice squad and cornerback Jordan Hancock until Hamlin returns. On the brighter side, defensive tackle Ed Oliver is back to full health, with no injury designation, and linebacker Dorian Williams, who was limited earlier in the week with a knee issue, looks ready to return after two full practices. With Matt Milano still sidelined, these updates couldn’t have come at a better time for the Bills.

For now, all eyes are on the Bills-Falcons game. Do you think the Bills’ trust in Poyer will help them get back on the winning path.