Buffalo Bills: DT DeWayne Carter confirms achilles tear, out for season | NFL News
The Buffalo Bills lost second-year defensive tackle DeWayne Carter for the season. On Aug. 31, 2025, Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports reported that Carter tore his Achilles and will miss 2025. Carter later confirmed the news on social media. The injury occurred during Wednesday’s practice on Aug. 27, per ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg.
DeWayne Carter injury and roster impact
Schultz reported the torn Achilles and season-ending timeline on Aug. 31. “Sources: #Bills DT DeWayne Carter tore his Achilles and will miss the entire 2025 season.” Credit: Jordan Schultz, FOX Sports. Getzenberg confirmed the injury and date of occurrence. “Bills second-year defensive tackle DeWayne Carter tore his Achilles and has been ruled out for the season… Injury took place during Wednesday’s practice.” Credit: Alaina Getzenberg, ESPN.Carter addressed the setback on X the same day. “This is all a part of my testimony. I will be back. John 13:7.” Credit: DeWayne Carter.Carter made the Bills’ final group of defensive tackles with Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, and rookies Deone Walker and TJ Sanders. He was positioned for an expanded rotational role behind Oliver and Jones. The Bills also carry veteran Jordan Phillips on the practice squad. With Carter headed to injured reserve, Phillips is a logical elevation candidate. Syracuse.com’s Ryan Talbot noted Buffalo added two defensive tackles to the practice squad, including Phillips. Lance Lysowski of the Buffalo News previously framed Phillips as insurance while Carter competed for depth snaps and while free agent addition Larry Ogunjobi serves a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substances policy.
What changes for Buffalo’s defensive line in week 1 and beyond
Buffalo opens against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. The top four now center on Oliver and Jones as starters, with first-year players Sanders and Walker in reserve. The Bills historically rotate heavily up front. That approach can continue if Sanders and Walker handle early-down work and situational snaps. Phillips offers veteran stability if promoted. He has 129 career games, 62 starts, and 24.0 sacks. His body type and experience give the staff a plug-and-play interior option while Ogunjobi is unavailable.Carter’s college profile and rookie usage suggest why Buffalo valued his 2025 role. At Duke, he earned All-ACC recognition in multiple seasons and produced disruptive plays across sacks, tackles for loss, forced fumbles, pass breakups, and a fumble return touchdown. As a rookie, he appeared in 11 games with three starts and logged five tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, and one pass defensed. The injury pauses that trajectory until 2026.Buffalo can survive the short-term loss because the starters remain intact and the rotation has viable pieces. The cleanest path is a Phillips elevation and expanded chances for Sanders and Walker. The longer view is Carter’s rehab and a Year 3 return if recovery stays on schedule.
