Bills sign center Jared Wheeler, adding to competition

Orchard Park, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills were awarded center Jared Wheeler off waivers Thursday after he was waived by the Carolina Panthers.

To make room for Wheeler, the Bills released cornerback Brandon Smith, who has been out of practice with what coach Doug Marrone classified as a "lower body injury." Smith was designated as waived/injured.

Wheeler, an 6-foot-5, 315-pound undrafted rookie out of Miami, will add some depth at center and could potentially push Syracuse's Macky MacPherson for snaps at practice. Wheeler made six starts at center for Miami last season and played in 38 games in his career for the Hurricanes.

MacPherson played for Marrone in college and had been receiving some second- and third-team repetitions during the first few practices on training camp. Added center depth will further the already close competition at center.


(syracuse.com)