E.J. Gaines gives Chiefs another cornerback option down the road

If the Kansas City Chiefs feel a need to add another veteran corner once the season is underway, the Buffalo Bills released E.J. Gaines which allows for another option.

The Buffalo Bills have reached an injury settlement with cornerback E.J. Gaines just weeks after the veteran hit injured reserve after being sidelined with a groin injury. Apparently the Bills are ready to simply move on, but the move will give Gaines another chance to sign once he’s healthy—likely after the regular season is underway.

Gaines, who is still only 27-years-old, has dealt with injury issues for most of his NFL career. He missed the entire 2015 season due to a preseason Lisfranc injury, after starting 15 games during his rookie campaign in 2014 with the (then) St. Louis Rams. From there, his injury woes have become the norm including five games missed to a thigh injury in 2016 and concussions last season that limited him to 6 games for the Cleveland Browns.

Gaines is a talented player who will get a look from teams due to the league-wide need at his position as well as his youth, but any deal will be a single season in length and highly incentivized around playing time. This preseason groin injury only further cements the idea that he’s unreliable for the long haul.

For the Chiefs, however, no one would be asking Gaines to start for the team. The Chiefs have Bashaud Breeland, Kendall Fuller and likely Charvarius Ward as their top three, with Morris Claiborne tagging in to the roster after the season’s first four weeks have passed. If Ward isn’t working out, Claiborne could join the starting trio and offer some security there.

Beyond those core four, there’s a steep drop behind them to go with the questions that are already in that group. Given how often defenses are in sub package situations with maximum defensive backs on the field, there’s a definite need even for a player like Gaines to not take a closer look.

Gaines had 13 total tackles last season to go with 3 batted passes and 1 interception in 6 games for the Browns.