94 Vernon Butler DT

Butler, who missed the season-opening win over the Jets due to a hamstring injury, was able to practice fully Wednesday, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

It looks like the Bills may have played it safe with one of their prized offseason signees, perhaps helped by the fact they have so much depth on their defensive line. That said, it looks like Butler is trending toward adding even more power to an already strong defensive unit in Week 2.

Butler (hamstring) has been made a game-day inactive for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Butler was able to practice at times this week, so his Bills debut shouldn't be too far off. As far as Sunday goes, Harrison Phillips, Quinton Jefferson and Justin Zimmer (lifted off the practice squad) should all see more work due to Butler's absence.

Butler (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Jets, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

Butler started the week as a limited participant but worked at full speed Thursday and Friday, so he should be ready to go Sunday barring a setback. The 26-year-old is in line to start at defensive tackle for the Bills to begin the season. He recorded 32 tackles and six sacks over 14 games with the Panthers last year.

Butler (hamstring) practiced fully Thursday after working on a limited basis Wednesday.

Butler should be fine for his Bills debut Sunday against the Jets. He's expected to serve as a starter now that Star Lotulelei is sitting out the season, though the Bills still plan on running a heavy rotation throughout the defensive line.

Butler (hamstring) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday.

The 2016 first-rounder is expected to be an important piece, as the Bills rely heavily on a rotation system for their defensive line. Butler did accrue 6.0 sacks last season, but his previous high in his three NFL seasons before that was just 1.5.

Butler, who was acquired by the Bills this offseason, could see more opportunity in 2020 due to Star Lotulelei opting out for the season, Mark Gaughan of The Buffalo News reports.

The Bills run a rotation throughout their defensive line and it's a deep one at that, but Butler -- a 2016 first-rounder who logged a career-high six sacks last season with the Panthers -- is now expected to be needed that much more. For now, Butler is the most likely choice to assume Lotulelei's starting position, with potential budding star Ed Oliver manning the other tackle spot.

Butler has agreed to a two-year deal with the Bills for around $16 million that can be worth up to $18 million, with $9.3 million guaranteed, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

As we've seen over and over, the Buffalo brass continues to pluck former talent from the Panthers, where much of the coaching staff and Bills GM Brandon Beane have ties from earlier in their careers. Butler finished the 2019 season with 32 tackles, six sacks and three fumbles forced in 14 games played. The 2016 first-rounder can play a few different spots along the line, though the early guess is he'll work in a rotation with Ed Oliver, Star Lotulelei, Harrison Phillips and fellow new signee Quinton Jefferson to form a pretty formidable defensive tackle rotation.

Butler finished the 2019 season with 32 tackles (22 solo), six sacks and three fumbles forced in 14 games played.

Butler, a first-round pick in 2016, managed just two sacks through his first three seasons. However, with the incentive of playing in the final year of his rookie deal after having his fifth-year option declined, the defensive tackle finally showed why Carolina regarded him so highly coming out of college. With career-best production across the board, the 25-year-old could now be in line for a nice payday as a free agent this offseason.

Butler is officially active for Sunday's game against the Saints, David Newton of ESPN reports.

Butler's days in Carolina looked over after he was ejected last week for punching Colts tight end Jack Doyle. It's still unclear what sort of role Butler will have in the defense, but with the team declining to pick up his 2020 option, this will likely be a huge "prove it" game for the 2016 first-round pick.

Butler could be waived by the Panthers after getting ejected from Sunday's loss to the Colts after punching Jack Doyle, David Newton of ESPN reports.

Interim coach Perry Fewell said "all options are open", and benching for the season finale against the Saints is also on the table. This was a prove-it season for the 2016 first-round pick, as the Panthers didn't pick up his 2020 option, but Butler picked up the pace this season with a career-high six sacks through 13 games.

Butler (illness) is active for Sunday's game against the Colts.

Butler didn't practice Thursday and Friday due to an illness, but he's good to go for Week 16's clash. The 2016 first-round pick will look to build on his already solid campaign, as he's accrued 29 tackles and six sacks over 12 contests.

Butler has an illness and is questionable for Sunday's game against the Colts, though he's expected to play, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

The 25-year-old was added to the injury report and was a non-participant at practice Thursday and Friday, but it shouldn't impact his availability for Week 16. Butler figures to play his usual workload at defensive end for the Panthers.

Butler had two solo tackles and a sack in Sunday's 40-20 loss to the Falcons.

Butler is enjoying his best season as a pro, as he now sports 24 tackles and five sacks through 11 games. After the Panthers declined his fifth-year option last offseason, Butler will push to finish strong ahead of free agency this spring.

Butler (back) is active for Sunday's game at Green Bay, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Butler was considered a game-time decision but will be able to play against the Packers. The 25-year-old played a season-high 39 defensive snaps last week versus the Titans.

Butler (back) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Packers and will be a game-time decision, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Butler suffered a groin injury during Week 9's loss to the Titans, but he appears to have a fair chance at playing through the issue Sunday versus the Packers. In the event that the veteran were forced to miss any time, however, Bryan Cox and Efe Obada would be candidates to receive increased snaps.

Butler had two sacks and forced two fumbles in Sunday's 37-26 win over the Buccaneers.

Butler finished the first half with quite the flurry, sacking and stripping Jameis Winston on consecutive downs, with the Panthers pouncing on his second swipe. In four games played thus far, Butler has actually forced a fumble on all three of his sacks, giving the 2016 first-rounder his best season in that category already.

Butler recorded a sack during his team's 16-10 win over the Texans on Sunday.

Butler was on the field for just 11 defensive snaps, and while he was able to find his way to the quarterback, the 25-year-old defensive tackle appears an afterthought on Carolina's defense. Until his role increases with the Panthers or he finds himself on another team, Butler will continue to offer little-to-no value in IDP formats.

The Panthers declined to exercise the fifth-year option on Butler's contract, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

That means the 2016 first-rounder will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the league year. Arguably the Panthers' worst draft pick in the Dave Gettleman era and a player who was supposed to lift a Carolina defense that had just let Josh Norman walk in free agency, Butler has accrued just 45 tackles and two sacks through three seasons despite playing alongside some talented teammates.

Butler was recently accused of assaulting a woman at a club in Dallas, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Butler reported to Panthers training camp Wednesday, less than 24 hours after the accusation became public. Charges haven't been filed, as police are still in the process of investigating.

Butler had 13 tackles (eight solo) and zero sacks in the 2017 season.

It was the second consecutive season with just 13 tackles for Butler. He played less than 22 defensive snaps per game, but it's likely the Panthers will expect more out of their 2016 first-round pick next season.