Bills Sign Intriguing, Former Star Cornerback Amid Injury Concerns

The Buffalo Bills are expected to sign cornerback Josh Norman to their practice squad, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL media.

This would mark Norman’s second stint with the Bills, as he played nine games for Buffalo in 2020.

The move comes after a string of injuries to the Bills’ defense over the last couple of weeks, particularly in the secondary. In Week 4, Buffalo lost cornerback Tre’Davious White to a torn Achilles, and in Week 5, fellow cornerback Christian Benford went down with a shoulder injury.

Norman last appeared in an NFL game last season, when he played in two contests for the Carolina Panthers. He logged eight tackles during that time.

The 35-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Coastal Carolina, was originally selected by the Panthers in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Norman played in every game and made 12 starts during his rookie campaign, finishing with 73 tackles, an interception and seven passes defended. However, the following year, Norman was demoted to a reserve role and only appeared in seven contests.

He got his job back in 2014, totaling 56 tackles, a couple of picks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and 11 passes defended. Then, in 2015, Norman broke out, racking up 48 tackles, four interceptions, three forced fumbles, a pair of fumble recoveries, 18 passes defended and a couple of defensive touchdowns en route to a Pro Bowl appearance and a First-Team All-Pro selection.

Norman parlayed that outstanding season into a five-year, $75 million contract with Washington, but he ended up being a massive disappointment in the nation’s capital, lasting only four seasons before being cut.

The Greenwood, S.C. native then joined the Bills briefly in 2020 before landing with the San Francisco 49ers in 2021. He then returned to the Panthers for a cup of coffee last season.

Buffalo is 3-2 thus far in 2023.