Bills Place Dee Delaney on IR

The season of Buffalo Bills safety Dee Delaney appears to be over before it began.

The Bills, on Sunday, announced a series of roster moves — one of which placed Delaney on injured reserve. The 29-year-old was injured on the Bills' penultimate defensive series in the middle of the fourth quarter, finishing the game with three tackles.

Following the losses of both Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, the Bills face a tall task in replacing a starting tandem that had been together since 2017. Poyer was released in March and has since signed with the Miami Dolphins . Hyde currently remains unsigned and considering retirement as the regular season approaches.

If healthy, Delaney was projected as having the skill set to be effective as a reserve option at strong safety — thus helping to mitigate Buffalo’s key defensive losses.

At present, Taylor Rapp is expected to begin the season as the top option at the position. Veterans Damar Hamlin, Mike Edwards and rookie Cole Bishop, who was selected in the second round of the draft last month, are currently dealing with their own respective injuries.

While Delaney may no longer factor into Buffalo’s plans for this season, his placement on injured reserve perhaps leaves open the possibility of his contributing to the team next season.