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Buffalo Bills: Scott Crichton Fails Physical, Depth Remains An Issue

By Michael Hudson

Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Scott Crichton (95) reacts as he is helped off the field after suffering an injury against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Scott Crichton (95) reacts as he is helped off the field after suffering an injury against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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After hope that they’d get some necessary defensive line depth, the Buffalo Bills are now back to the drawing board.

Apparently, the Buffalo Bills won’t get the depth on the defensive line they need after all. The Bills announced today that Scott Crichton, who was claimed off waivers earlier this week from the Minnesota Vikings, will need to go back on waivers after he failed his physical. Scott Brown of the Bills official website broke the news on Wednesday.

The news wasn’t exactly the biggest surprise, as Crichton did spend all of the 2016 season on injured reserve. He has had injury issues in the past since being drafted by the Vikings in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft. It wasn’t immediately known what issue caused the failed physical.

While Crichton wasn’t a lock to make the Bills 53-man roster at the conclusion of training camp, he was considered a valuable asset considering the Bills are razor thin at the defensive end spot. Currently on their roster, the Bills only have three ends with Shaq Lawson, Jerry Hughes, and Ryan Davis. With each likely needing multiple breaks throughout the game, having only three defensive ends won’t be enough to complete full rotations at the position.

As for Crichton, his future now is murky. He has only played in 21 games over three seasons while registering only seven tackles and no sacks, number that aren’t exactly ideal for a team looking to bolster it’s defensive line strength.

Next: Fantasy Impact of Bills Early Free Agency Moves

The Bills now are in the market for another end to bolster their edge pass rush, which is likely one of their points of focus in the later rounds of April’s draft. The free agent pool is also thin, with only Devin Taylor and former Bill Mario Williams making up the remaining defensive ends in Pro Football Focus’s Top 50 free agents. It’s unlikely the Bills will entertain a reunion with Williams, who wore out his welcome here during his short stint in Buffalo.

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