Bills Add Veteran Cornerback Darius Slay, Release Ja’Marcus Ingram
The Buffalo Bills have claimed cornerback Darius Slay off waivers from the Pittsburgh Steelers and released cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram, the team announced Wednesday. Slay joined the Steelers as a free agent following his departure from the philadelphia Eagles in March and appeared in 10 games for Pittsburgh this season, registering 28 solo tackles. He was inactive for the Steelers’ recent game against the Bills.
The move addresses a need for cornerback depth in Buffalo. Christian Benford has established himself as the team’s primary cornerback, recently earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance in Week 13. Tre’Davious white and rookie maxwell Hairston have been rotating as the second boundary cornerback.
Beyond this core group, the Bills previously only had Ingram on their active roster and Dane Jackson on the practice squad as cornerback options. Both Ingram and Jackson have demonstrated struggles when called upon in boundary coverage, wiht Ingram frequently designated a healthy scratch. Slay’s contract, currently at the veteran minimum, presents a minimal impact on the Bills’ 2025 salary cap.
Buffalo’s interest in Slay dates back to the 2013 NFL Draft,during a previous front office administration.
The Bills have historically faced challenges with cornerback injuries, especially late in the season and during the playoffs. White has a history of injury concerns, and Hairston recently returned from a knee injury that sidelined him for several months. Slay provides a veteran presence and insurance should either player be unavailable. While the current rotation of Benford, White, and Hairston has shown promise, Slay offers a potential choice should their performance decline, according to team sources.
(Source: Joe Buscaglia, Bills staff writer)
