ORCHARD PARK — The Buffalo Bills quietly added another Phil to the roster Wednesday.
A week after signing defensive tackle Jordan Phillips — Big Phil — off the practice squad, the Bills did the same with Phidarian Mathis, who also goes by Phil. Mathis has quietly spent the last two months with the Bills, playing in two games, as he tries to resurrect a career that faltered before it could get started.
Ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft, Mathis was one of the top-graded defensive tackles available. He helped Alabama win a national championship and had 9 ½ sacks in his final season, combining his 6-foot-4, 310-pound body with a physical style and a high motor.
“Phil’s the next one,” Jim Nagy, then-executive director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl told AL.com in February 2022. “Phil’s the next generation.”
The Washington Commanders had big plans for Mathis, making him a second-round pick, 47th overall. But then he tore his meniscus four snaps into the 2022 season opener and missed the remainder of the season.
He was placed on injured reserve at the start of the 2023 season with a calf injury, costing him the first seven games. Mathis played a regular role over the final 10 outings, but didn’t record a tackle for a loss or a sack.
As the Commanders were gearing up for an NFC championship game run, Mathis was released Dec. 28, 2024. The New York Jets claimed him two days later but never played in a game and was released Aug. 21.
“I don’t even think about that anymore,” Mathis told GNN Sports. “To be honest, I put it in my past. I’m living for what’s now. I don’t worry about what happened years ago. Whatever happened, it was all a plan. … It was my story that God had written for me. I’m all about where my feet are right now.”
That wasn’t a natural mindset for Mathis. He heard the noise in Washington, that he was a bust or that he couldn’t stay healthy. It was hard to show otherwise at the time.
Mathis had just two tackles for a loss and one quarterback hit in 23 games over three seasons with the Commanders. Paired with it was a new coach and front office that wasn’t responsible for drafting him and wanted to craft the roster in their image.
“It took a lot for me to get there,” Mathis said. “At first I was stuck on what other people said, stuck on I’m always getting hurt, whatever. I just got to the point where it’s just like, live for what’s now. Don’t worry about what happened in the past because if you keep worrying about what happened in the past, it will only stress you out.”
Mathis watched Week 1 without a team. But the Bills called Sept. 10 and offered him a spot on the practice squad. He has played in two games this season, perhaps the two biggest games the Bills have played this season and their two best games against the run.
With the Bills only having two healthy defensive tackles on the active roster, Mathis made his debut against the New England Patriots and made two tackles in 17 snaps as the Bills surrendered just 71 yards rushing in a 23-20 loss.
The Bills were still dealing with injuries against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday and Mathis got another crack. He played 14 snaps as Buffalo gave up just 79 yards on the ground in a 28-21 win.
After Ed Oliver (biceps) and Michael Hoecht (Achilles) were placed on injured reserve, Mathis was signed to the active roster. Perhaps it’s temporary as DaQuan Jones (calf) and T.J. Sanders (knee) near their returns, but Mathis has been humbled by his journey and found a place he wants to be.
“Ever since I came here, I just felt like I belong,” Mathis said. “I’m very thankful for the opportunity. Just getting the opportunity was just all about taking those moments that they give me and just being on my feet, showing them that I can step up when your name is called.”
Hairston’s time
Maxwell Hairston showed against the Chiefs that he’s deserving of more playing time and the Bills obliged. The first-round pick evenly split 60 snaps with Tre’Davious White at cornerback and it was Hairston whom the Bills trusted to be on the field for the final series with the game on the line.
Hairston may be in line for even more playing time against the Miami Dolphins, especially with Christian Benford listed as questionable. Benford was limited Wednesday and Friday and didn’t practice Thursday due to a groin injury, so even if he’s able to play Sunday, it’s fair to wonder how much time he will get.
Cam Lewis also might get another start in the slot as Taron Johnson is listed as questionable after missing last week and being limited in all three practices this week.
The Bills face a Dolphins passing game that has been inconsistent this season, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa ranking 10th in touchdowns (15), but also has the second-most interceptions in the league, one behind Las Vegas’ Geno Smith’s 12.
Besides Benford and Johnson, defensive end A.J. Epenesa (concussion) and linebacker Shaq Thompson have been ruled out. Defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (calf) and wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle/knee) are also questionable.
Run or pass?
Running back James Cook, the league’s second-leading rusher, does not have an injury designation. He injured his ankle in last week’s win over the Chiefs, missed practice Wednesday, was limited Thursday and was a full participant Friday.
The Bills are 6-0 when Cook has 100 scrimmage yards this season — 16-3 in his career — and has eclipsed 100 yards rushing five times this season. The Dolphins rank 30th in the league in run defense, surrendering 145.6 yards per game.
With the temperature pushing the mid-80s by 1 p.m. kickoff and Cook’s injury, it might be an opportunity for Ray Davis to see more touches. Due in part to Cook’s success, Davis hasn’t had a consistent role in the offense this season and 18 of his 22 carries have come in blowout wins over the Jets and Panthers.
But the Dolphins are also ravaged by injuries in the secondary. Cornerback Rasul Douglas (ankle/foot) hasn’t been ruled out by coach Mike McDaniel, but he conceded it doesn’t look promising, while safeties Ashtyn Davis (quadricep) and Ifeatu Melifonwu (foot/thumb) are game-time decisions.
Miami is also struggling with its pass rush as defensive end Chop Robinson (concussion) is also doubtful to play, while Bradley Chubb has been limited with a foot injury. The Dolphins traded edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles Monday.