Bills place Mitchell on injured reserve, sign Ayodele
The Buffalo Bills have placed linebacker Kawika Mitchell on injured reserve, thus ending his season. Moving fast in finding his replacement, the Bills signed former Dolphin Akin Ayodele.
Mitchell was heading into the season as a backup to Andra Davis after sitting out the final 11 games last season with a knee injury. Mitchell has not been able to fully heal and the Bills elected to go with Ayodele for the 2010 season.
Ayodele started 15 games for the Miami Dolphins last season. Ayodele practiced with the team this week as they get set to take on those same Dolphins this Sunday. He spent most of training camp with the Denver Broncos who released him just last week.
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Mitchell in the second round of the 2003 draft. After four seasons with the Chiefs, they elected not to resign him, as he wasn’t quite panning out at middle linebacker.
The New York Giants signed Mitchell in 2007 to a one-year deal. Mitchell was moved to weak-side linebacker and had newfound success with the Giants. He helped the Giants become one of the best defences in football on their way to a Super Bowl XLII victory. Mitchell enjoyed a productive season but New York elected not to give him the long-term contract he wanted.
He signed with the Bills in 2008 to a five-year $17.2 million contract. Mitchell was an instrumental part to the Bills defence last year as the Bills were really tough against the pass; Mitchell 57 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions. His presence will be missed this season.
Ayodele was a starter throughout the Dolphins’ season last year but was not the pass-rusher hoped he would be. The Dolphins elected to go younger this season, promoting Cameron Wake to the starting job and drafting Koa Misi in the second round of this year’s draft.
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