Buffalo brings back veteran safety Jordan Poyer for Week 6 after a practice-squad elevation, boosting a Bills secondary that now has a seasoned playmaker available as Damar Hamlin sits with an IR pectoral injury. Poyer’s season debut comes alongside Jordan Phillips’ second elevation, adding depth as Buffalo navigates safety rotations with rookie Jordan Hancock ready to contribute. The matchup with Atlanta on MNF amplifies the need for reliable coverage and a steady back end, while Buffalo leans on its veteran core to anchor the defense in Hamlin’s absence.

Poyer’s return hails from a storied tenure in Buffalo (seven seasons, Pro Bowl/All-Pro acclaim in 2021) and a 2023 stint with Miami. Phillips logged a tackle-heavy outing in Week 4 against New Orleans, underscoring the Bills’ commitment to depth. With Hamlin out for at least four games, Taylor Rapp and Cole Bishop figure to absorb extra reps, and Hancock could push into the base or dime packages as Buffalo defends against a Falcons attack that will test the back end.

Damar Hamlin remains with Buffalo as a backup safety after his defining moment, with Taylor Rapp and Cole Bishop locking down the Bills’ back end. Hamlin appears mainly on the sideline and for occasional defensive snaps, while continuing leadership off the field.

For fantasy players, Hamlin isn’t a reliable weekly option; Rapp and Bishop offer steadier floors, and a spike would only come if injuries or a scheme change unlock unexpected time for Hamlin.

Dave Lapham’s 1,000th Bengals game marks a landmark in NFL radio and franchise history. A 1974 third‑round pick who became the broadcast voice in 1986, he’s now the longest‑tenured Bengals radio analyst, missing only one game in four decades. The milestone ties together a 50‑year association that has seen every preseason, regular season and postseason appearance with the same organization, including a few wartime anomalies like the Hamlin emergency‑led cancellation.

For fantasy minds, Lapham’s enduring presence reinforces a familiar narrative around the Bengals’ strategy and game tempo, offering a stable backdrop against which game scripts, opponent tendencies and pass/run splits can be weighed. The milestone also underscores Cincinnati’s organization stability, with Mike Brown as the only other constant linked to the franchise’s ongoing story.