The Buffalo Bills claimed a pair of players off waivers Tuesday -- center Dalton Freeman and linebacker Kevin Reddick -- who could both stick on the Bills' 53-man roster next week.
Freeman played 16 games last season for Rex Ryan's New York Jets and is the eighth of Ryan's former players to rejoin him in Buffalo. Besides Freeman, five remained on the roster Tuesday: Wide receiver Percy Harvin, quarterback Matt Simms, tight end Matthew Mulligan, fullback John Conner and defensive end Ikemefuna Enemkpali.
Prior to signing with the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2013, Freeman played at Clemson, where Ryan's son, Seth, is a walk-on.
Most teams keep only two backup interior offensive linemen on their 53-man roster, so assuming Freeman makes the cut Saturday, the Bills might have to release either Kraig Urbik or Cyril Richardson.
Reddick, who also went undrafted in 2013, adds depth at linebacker. The Bills have been hit by injuries to Ty Powell (season-ending ACL tear) and Tony Steward (MCL sprain, out for a few weeks) and were down to undrafted rookie AJ Tarpley and second-year pro Jimmy Gaines at the position.
The Bills waived Gaines on Tuesday to make room for Reddick, who could leapfrog Tarpley for the top reserve linebacker spot and contribute on special teams. Reddick has appeared in 21 career games for the New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers and Carolina Panthers, accumulating 12 special teams tackles.
The Bills also waived/injured undrafted rookie offensive tackle Tyson Chandler on Tuesday.
