Bills release intriguing UDFA kicker to make room for new safety

As one training camp battle drags on, another ends.

The Buffalo Bills announced the signing of former Los Angeles Rams safety Terrell Burgess Wednesday afternoon amid a rash of injuries at the position, adding the 25-year-old to a safety room that recently lost Mike Edwards and Cole Bishop to illness. The team released undrafted free agent punter Jack Browning in a corresponding roster move, meaning Sam Martin, who punted in Orchard Park the past two seasons, is apparently set to do so again this fall.

Browning, a former San Diego State punter who joined the Bills after falling through the cracks of the 2024 NFL Draft, averaged 45.8 yards on punts throughout his time in Southern California. He also served as the Aztecs’ kicker, hitting 100 percent of his extra points and 74.5 percent of his field goals throughout his two college seasons.

Related: The CB looking to make his mark hopes to ‘double’ his production in his first full season with the Bills

He had recently received praise from Buffalo special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley for his consistency and mechanics, with the coach even pointing out his ability to hold the ball. He even held Tyler Bass’ kicks in Tuesday’s practice, just a day before his release; now he’ll get a chance to hook up with another team before the regular season begins.

While it would have been beneficial for Buffalo to have a punter with a long-term, team-friendly contract on its roster, Martin’s contract made him difficult to cut. It appears the team’s specialist unit in 2024 will be exactly the same as its groups in 2022 and 2023.

— Get free Bills coverage from Buffalo Bills on SI —