The Reasons Why Bills DT Returns Are a Big Deal

If anyone is doubting DaQuan Jones’s value to the Buffalo Bills defense, all they have to do is play the team’s playoff loss to Cincinnati in the divisional round last year (provided they haven’t burned it already).

Due to a calf injury, the defensive tackle was sidelined, and his absence was clearly felt. The loss of Jones proved to be too much for a defense that was already without All-Pro players Von Miller and Micah Hyde.

In their 27-10 victory, the Bengals outran the Bills in the trenches, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Cincinnati ran for 172 yards and totaled a staggering 30 first downs.

Unfortunately for the Bills, they’ve only had Jones’ services for four full games this season as the defensive leader tore his pectoral muscle while attempting a tackle during the team’s London game against Jacksonville in Week 5.

Although it was initially speculated that Jones could be done for the year, the Bills are receiving as good of a late-season addition as any team around the league. Jones has been activated off Injured Reserve and is ready to go against the New England Patriots in Week 17.

“I’m excited to be back out there with the guys, go out there and fly around and make plays,” said Jones on Friday in Orchard Park.

Prior to the injury, Jones was making impactful plays no matter what the defensive situation required. Seven of his 10 stops came on run plays. The interior lineman also recorded 2.5 sacks and five quarterback hits through his first four games.

“I believe that was clear from the first four games he participated in. During his weekly Friday interview on WGR’s Extra Point Show, McDermott stated, “What he’s been able to do at the line of scrimmage in the run game, and then when he’s able to convert run to pass in the play action game on those early downs, it’s been effective for him and for us.”

Now, Jones, who has been nothing short of a fruitful free agent addition prior to the 2022 campaign, is back for the stretch run and the Bills are a better defense because of it. “I put a lot of work in to get to this point and I’m just happy my body was able to heal as quickly as it did,” said Jones.

Get more related related news on sportlovers.co.uk