Buffalo Bills Acquire Center Patrick Lewis Off Waivers

The move brings added depth to the position. Lewis is expected to compete with Fernando Velasco for the role of backup behind Eric Wood, who has been the Bills regular starter since 2009. Wood made his first Pro Bowl in 2015.

The 6’1″, 311 pound offensive lineman was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Green Bay Packers in 2013. After being released during the final round of preseason cuts that year, he was signed by the Cleveland Browns on September 1st. But he didn’t see any playing time and was waived on November 26th while being added to their practice squad three days later.

Lewis would later sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 17th. He remained with the team until the following preseason when he was released. The Seahawks claimed him off waivers on August 26th.

It was in Seattle where Lewis made the most of opportunity. With incumbent starter Max Unger only able to make six starts in 2014 due to injury, Lewis stepped in. He would end up starting four regular season games and made one postseason appearance in Seattle’s 31-17 win over the Carolina Panthers in the NFC divisional round.

Lewis made a further nine starts during the 2015 regular season and played in both playoff games. But over the course of this year’s preseason, 2014 second-round pick Justin Britt began to supersede him on the depth chart. That made him expendable as the team starts trimming the roster down to 53.

The Bills close out their 2016 preseason on Thursday on the road against the Detroit Lions. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 PM ET.