Two-time champion SB safety’s injury prevents Buffalo Bills’ OTA participation

One of the Buffalo Bills’ new safeties is currently on the shelf, albeit temporarily.

Two-time Super Bowl champion Mike Edwards, who signed as a free agent last March, was unavailable for OTA practice this week due to an upper-body injury.

“I should add that Mike is dealing with a small shoulder (injury) right now for the next three or four weeks. Beyond that, he’s been a good addition to our team,” said the Bills head coach Sean McDermott Tuesday at Orchard Park. .

When healthy, Edwards, 28, should compete for a starting spot at the back end of McDermott’s defense. He appeared in every game for the Super Bowl LVIII champion Kansas City Chiefs, including five regular-season starts, last year. Edwards, who started all four playoff games, played 97 percent of the defensive snaps in the 25-22 win over San Francisco.

“I really like the way he played last season, especially with Kansas City and the previous seasons with Tampa,” McDermott said.

Prior to his lone season in Kansas City, the 2019 third-round pick played in 58 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Edwards had four tackles and one pass defended in Super Bowl LV, helping Tampa to a 31-9 victory over the Chiefs.

“He’s also had some success in his career. You take away certain things from those experiences,” McDermott said.