Buffalo Bills make 3 critical roster moves that could determine their playoff fate against Jacksonville

The Buffalo Bills are confident that Matt Prater will be able to make it through Sunday’s Wild Card matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

On Saturday, the team did not elevate veteran Matthew Wright from the practice squad. Wright was viewed as a backup plan for Prater after the kicker reaggravated his right quad injury in the Bills’ blowout win over the New York Jets.

With Prater good to go, the Bills elevated defensive end Andre Jones Jr. and running back Frank Gore Jr. from their practice squad.

Jones was elevated three times during the regular season. He flashed on defense and contributed on special teams during his elevations. Jones could be part of a rotation off the edge on Sunday behind Joey Bosa, Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa.

Gore was not elevated this season and is likely going to be a depth option at running back if Ty Johnson cannot play. Johnson is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. The veteran could test the injury pre-game on Sunday.

In addition to their two elevations from the practice squad, Buffalo also signed linebacker Baylon Spector to the 53-man roster. The Bills created a spot for Spector by placing wide receiver Joshua Palmer on the injured reserve. Palmer was listed as questionable on Friday, but was downgraded to out on Saturday before being placed on the injured reserve.

Palmer’s first season in Buffalo was a massive disappointment. The receiver signed a three-year, $29 million contract with Buffalo this offseason and was expected to be one of Josh Allen’s top weapons. Nagging injuries and ineffective play limited the veteran to just 22 catches for 303 yards and no touchdowns.