Why the Buffalo Bills Elevated Frank Gore Jr. and Greg Dortch for Thursday Night Football
Summary: This article explains why Buffalo moved Frank Gore Jr. and Greg Dortch from the practice squad to the active roster for Thursday Night Football against Detroit, highlighting their Week 1 contributions and the local backdrop for Dortch.
The Buffalo Bills added two practice-squad players to the active roster for Thursday Night Football against the Detroit Lions. The team elevated wide receiver Greg Dortch and running back Frank Gore Jr., according to the Buffalo Bills' official website. The game was scheduled for 8:15 p.m. on Prime Video at Highmark Stadium.
Both players had already been elevated in Week 1. Dortch and Gore Jr. each appeared in the season opener against the Houston Texans.
Dortch's Return Value
Special teams likely drove Dortch's promotion. He averaged 27.3 yards per kickoff return against the Texans, with a long of 37 yards. Those returns stood out in a game that otherwise demanded a lot from Buffalo's defense.
There is also a local angle. WHEC.com reported that Dortch was born in Rochester and would play in Orchard Park with about 50 family members expected in the stands. He also faced his former team in the Lions. For a short-week game, that kind of familiarity with the territory does not hurt.
Gore's Backfield Role
Gore's elevation was less about a single highlight and more about workload. He played 11 snaps at running back in Week 1, the second-most among Bills running backs. That suggests the coaching staff trusts him in a defined backup role. Bringing him up again gives the team a ready option behind its primary backs on a short week.
Why It Matters
Elevations from the practice squad are a roster management tool for a single game. The Bills did not announce a multi-game change. They simply made two players available for Thursday night. That is the same pattern they used in Week 1, when both players were elevated.
The move reflects the reality of playing on a Thursday. There is less recovery time, and teams lean on depth at positions where injuries and fatigue accumulate. Dortch gives the Bills a returner who showed big-play ability in the opener. Gore gives them a running back who has already taken NFL snaps this season.
For Dortch, the night also carries personal meaning: a Rochester-born returner playing in front of his family against a former club. That does not change the roster math, but it makes the elevation one of the more interesting roster notes of the week.