Bills dump Poyer, White in cap purge

The Bills’ salary cap-related purge of players cut deep into the team’s core with veteran safety Jordan Poyer and center Mitch Morse among five players the team announced it had released on Wednesday.

And cornerback Tre’Davious White also is being cut, a person with direct knowledge of the decision told the Associated Press.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Bills did not announce White being cut because of the timing of his release. White, who is recuperating after tearing his right Achilles’ tendon in Week 4, is being designated as a post-June 1 cut, which provides the Bills additional cap savings.

The three players combined for 27 seasons of NFL experience, with 16 spent with the Bills. The moves made by the four-time defending AFC East champions were necessitated with Buffalo entering the offseason being a projected NFL-high $44 million over the 2024 season cap.

Also cut were sixth-year backup cornerback Siran Neal, backup receiver Deonte Harty, and running back Nyheim Hines.

The moves represent the breakup of a veteran secondary that was formed in 2017, when Buffalo signed Poyer and Micah Hyde in free agency, and then selected White in the first round of the draft a month later.

Hyde’s future is uncertain with the 33-year-old contemplating retirement after completing the final year of his contract.

White, who had two seasons left on his contract, is coming off his second season-ending injury.

Ertz to Washington

The Commanders are signing veteran tight end Zach Ertz, two people with knowledge of the move told the Associated Press.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. One person familiar with the signing said the contract for next season is worth up to $5 million.

Ertz, 33, reunites with Kliff Kingsbury, Washington’s offensive coordinator who coached him with Arizona. He played parts of three seasons with the Cardinals before being released in late November.

A Super Bowl champion with Philadelphia, Ertz returns to the NFC East as the first big addition for new Commanders general manager Adam Peters.

Falcons keep Landman

The Falcons re-signed linebacker Nate Landman following his breakout 2023 season.

Landman, who was an exclusive rights free agent, started 14 games and played in two more as a backup while ranking third on the team with 110 tackles.