Jimmy Ciarlo has been released by the Buffalo Bills after playing just once against the New England Patriots, but the fan favorite has re-signed with the practice squad
20:37 ET, 17 Oct 2025
Jimmy Ciarlo has been released from the Buffalo Bills' active roster
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Jimmy Ciarlo has been released from the Buffalo Bills' active roster(Image: 2025 Todd Rosenberg)
The Buffalo Bills have made two roster moves heading into their bye week, and linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo has been released after playing just one game for the organization.
The Bills have slumped in recent weeks, losing to the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons after making a perfect start to the season. Buffalo has been without several key players due to injury, with tight end Dalton Kincaid missing the Week 6 defeat to Atlanta.
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Despite injuries to the offense, which has led to trade speculation, the Bills have made two changes to the defense. Ciarlo has been released, and cornerback Jalen Kimber has been released from the practice squad.
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Although Ciarlo was released from the active roster, he was then signed to the practice squad two days later. Ciarlo was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Jets in 2024, following four years at Army.
Ciarlo's career got off to a brutal start, as he suffered a torn ACL four plays into his preseason debut. He spent the rest of the season on the injured reserve list before being released earlier this year.
The linebacker tried out with the Patriots and the New York Giants before being contacted by the Bills. Ciarlo then signed a deal with Buffalo and participated in the preseason for the Bills.
Ciarlo went viral after his tackle on Dante Miller in NFL preseason
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Ciarlo went viral after his tackle on Dante Miller in NFL preseason(Image: 2025 Bryan Bennett)
Ciarlo failed to make the 53-man roster and re-signed to the practice squad, but was elevated on Oct. 4. Ciarlo made his debut against the Patriots, Buffalo's first loss of the season.
The linebacker played no defensive snaps, but did have 13 on special teams. Ciarlo has been released after one game, but is a popular player within the Bills organization and will remain on the practice squad.
Ciarlo impressed head coach Sean McDermott after making four tackles in a preseason game against the Giants, and the linebacker was singled out in the locker room after the game. Footage of McDermott's team meeting went viral after it appeared on HBO Hard Knocks.
"Whoever is on the field, it doesn’t matter," McDermott said in the meeting. "This is what we’re looking for: Physical, nasty, making plays, flying around, being a difference-maker. There’s going to be three guys that make this team solely on special teams because of plays like this."
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McDermott then instructed Ciarlo to raise his hand, and added: "That’s a heck of a play, man. I know you just joined us a couple days ago, man, great job. That’s playoff-caliber work right there.
"So your reps are going to move up. You make plays like this in any capacity, in any phase, you earn more playing time. I don’t care what your name is, where you were drafted, what your status was last year. Don’t really care. You earn the right to play on this team."
Following the viral moment, Ciarlo shared his experience with Bills reporter Sal Maiorana. "It was really cool to get texts from friends and family," Ciarlo said. "My little brother texted me and said that my family was at home watching and it was like the ball drop on New Years Eve, so that was pretty cool to hear.
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"The support’s been amazing. But at the same time, I’m trying not to make it a distraction from the goals I’m trying to achieve here."