ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — A familiar face is returning to Orchard Park.
The Buffalo Bills announced Wednesday that the team has signed veteran safety and former team captain Micah Hyde to the team's practice squad. In a corresponding move, the Bills released wide receiver Deon Cain from the practice squad.
With the move, the Bills and Hyde are re-united for yet another season after the two-time All-Pro safety played in Buffalo from 2017 to 2023.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott addressed the signing at his Wednesday press conference, while emphasizing his belief in the players currently in the safety room.
"Just to set expectations, Micah is in a practice squad role," McDermott said. "We are fully confident in Taylor Rapp, Damar Hamlin, Cole Bishop, Kareem Jackson. They've all been doing a real good job for us in the roles that they are currently in. They're going to stay in those roles and Micah is in a practice squad role. Good to have him back and his family as well."
Hyde did not sign with any team following the 2023 season, but in comments from both Hyde and the team, the door always remained open for the veteran safety to return to the team if both sides were in agreement on it.
"Yeah, just through conversations that have occurred like it normally would, both parties talking a little bit," McDermott said. "Just seeing if it's the right fit more than anything so we'll see where it goes but we're happy to have him back."
Hyde tallied 347 tackles and 16 interceptions in his previous seven seasons in Buffalo, but looking beyond his production, there's another element McDermott is eager for Hyde to bring to the building.
"The leadership piece for sure," McDermott said. "He could go down to the bank at the corner and be the president of the bank just as easy as he can be the captain of the Buffalo Bills. He just has a unique way about him from a leadership standpoint... of who he is as a person and his presence and the way he's very adaptable to people and to his surroundings."