Veteran linebacker Darron Lee, a first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, is back in the NFL. Lee will now get a chance to revive his career with Buffalo Bills, who added the 26-year-old to their practice squad.
Lee was a free agent since his contract with Kansas City Chiefs expired in March, but teams stayed away from the former Ohio State product due to his four-game suspension to start 2020. His suspension is now lifted, however, and he can fully participate in team activities.
Bills confirmed the move on social media while also announcing the release of linebacker Ahmad Gooden in a corresponding move.
With Lee, Buffalo gets a player that can be immediately slotted in to play and provides a great depth on the position of need. Bills’ starters at LB Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano have been injury prone so far in the season, while the rest of their depth chart isn’t particularly reliable past veteran A.J. Klein.
Darron Lee spent the first three seasons of his pro career with New York Jets. In 40 games (36 starts), he had 272 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 11 pass deflections, three interceptions, and one defensive touchdown.
Jets’ traded Lee to Kansas City Chiefs last year for a sixth-rounder. He ended up playing 16 games in the regular season, although he was mostly used on special teams.
