Otis Reese IV is a Buffalo Bill. Again. The Bills signed Reese on Monday, just three days after releasing the linebacker, and released undrafted rookie fullback Jackson Acker. Reese's latest absence from Buffalo didn't last long. The Bills originally signed Reese on Aug. 6 after placing linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles on injured reserve. Buffalo released Reese on Friday to make room on the roster to sign safety Wande Owens. Three days later, he's back. Reese wasn't on the roster for Saturday's 29-14 preseason win over the Carolina Panthers. It's Reese's third stint with the Bills in less than a year. Reese, 28, spent two weeks on Buffalo's practice squad last season, signing Sept. 23 before being released Oct. 7. He later joined the New England Patriots' practice squad and signed a reserve/futures contract in February. New England waived Reese on July 31. The Bills signed him six days later. Reese has appeared in 20 NFL games with five starts, all with the Tennessee Titans from 2023-24. He has 38 tackles and one interception. General manager Brandon Beane discussed at the beginning of training camp how the Bills maintain relationships with players who have previously spent time with the organization in case a roster need arises. "That's our job is to keep a running list of players at each position," Beane said. "You're naturally going to lean to someone who you know has done it recently for you and had success." The Bills have now leaned on Reese twice in 11 days. Bills release rookie fullback Jackson Acker
Acker's release removes one player from Buffalo's competition to replace Reggie Gilliam. The Bills signed Acker as an undrafted free agent after he played running back and fullback at Wisconsin. He rushed for 415 yards and three touchdowns and had 276 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 50 college games. Acker played three offensive snaps and four special teams snaps in the Bills' victory over the Panthers. Ben VanSumeren received more work at fullback, playing eight offensive snaps and 11 special teams snaps. He caught his only target for 4 yards. VanSumeren, 26, signed a one-year contract with Buffalo in April after spending three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. He entered the NFL as an undrafted linebacker before beginning his transition to fullback in 2024. The Bills brought in Acker and VanSumeren after Gilliam, their fullback for the previous six seasons, signed a three-year contract with the New England Patriots in free agency. VanSumeren remains on the roster with two preseason games remaining. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Buffalo Bills re-sign player 3 days after releasing him, cut rookie fullback