Derek Anderson

Buffalo Bills
Quarterback #3
Buffalo Bills
Quarterback #3

Derek Anderson News

Announces retirement

Anderson announced Thursday that he is retiring from the NFL, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Anderson is calling it a career after 15 NFL seasons. A career backup, Anderson totaled 10,878 yards, 60 touchdowns, and 64 interceptions across 78 appearances for the Browns, Cardinals, Panthers, and Bills. His retirement means that Matt Barkley will likely be the backup quarterback in Buffalo in 2019.

May 9, 2019 4:37 PM EST


Inks extension

Anderson signed a one-year contract extension with the Bills on Monday, Chris Brown of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Buffalo previously extended top backup Matt Barkley earlier this month, so the decision to re-sign Anderson indicates the team at least tentatively plans to proceed with three quarterbacks on the roster in 2019. Though he underwhelmed across his two appearances with Buffalo this season, completing 42 of 70 passes for 465 yards, no touchdowns and four interceptions, the 35-year-old was a positive resource for rookie Josh Allen, who displayed signs of growth down the stretch. So long as Allen and Barkley are both healthy next season, Anderson will continue to offer most of his value as a mentor to the younger signal-callers.

Dec 31, 2018 7:47 AM EST



Healthy scratch Week 15

Anderson is once again inactive Sunday against Detroit, despite having cleared concussion protocol.

Analysis: Anderson could be available if Buffalo needed him on the active roster, but the team will instead roll with Josh Allen as the starter and Matt Barkley as the primary backup.

Dec 16, 2018 9:05 AM EST


Finally clear of concussion

After several weeks, Anderson has cleared the concussion protocol, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

Analysis: Anderson suffered the concussion all the way back in Week 8, but he's finally received full clearance for all football activities. Unfortunately for Anderson Matt Barkley looks to have passed him on the QB depth chart and Anderson may even be a healthy scratch this week against Detroit.

Dec 14, 2018 10:39 AM EST


Logs limited practice

Anderson remains in the NFL's concussion protocol and will be limited at practice Wednesday, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Anderson's continued involvement in practice is a good sign, though he will have to graduate to full participation to rejoin the action Sunday. He still has a couple of days ahead to make that jump, which could position him as a backup option for Sunday's game against the Lions.

Dec 12, 2018 10:07 AM EST



To miss fifth straight game

Anderson (concussion) practiced on a limited basis for the third straight day Friday but has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Analysis: Matt Barkley will continue to serve as the backup to Josh Allen, while the Bills seemingly have no intention to get Anderson back on the field in 2018. At this point he's around to serve as a good, veteran sounding board for the promising Allen.

Dec 7, 2018 10:57 AM EST


Remains limited

Anderson (concussion) is still listed as a limited participant for Thursday's practice, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

Analysis: Anderson suffered the concussion all the way back in Week 8, so it's a bit surprising he's not back in full action at this stage. However, as the No. 3 quarterback for a team that wants to get rookie Josh Allen all the playing time he can get no matter how great or awful he may play, it's highly unlikely Anderson sees the field again in 2018.

Dec 6, 2018 12:17 PM EST


Still limited

Anderson (concussion) remains limited in practice.

Analysis: Now that Josh Allen is healthy again, Anderson's Week 14 status is only of import with regard to the Bills' depth at QB. Even if Anderson is cleared to play this week, there's no guarantee that he'd suit up Sunday against the Jets, with Allen and Matt Barkley both on hand.

Dec 5, 2018 12:21 PM EST


Still working through concussion

Anderson (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Miami, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

Analysis: Anderson did practice on a limited basis all week, but still hasn't suited up for game action since suffering the concussion during a Week 8 start against the Patriots. With Josh Allen healthy again and Matt Barkley seemingly passing Anderson on the depth chart, he's working toward getting back to a No. 3/mentor role the rest of the way.

Nov 30, 2018 11:43 AM EST


Still limited in practice

Coach Sean McDermott said Anderson remains in the NFL's concussion protocol and will be a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Joe Buscaglia of WKBW.com reports.

Analysis: Anderson also opened Week 12 as a limited participant in practice before sitting out Sunday's 24-21 win over the Jaguars, so it would appear he's made no notable progress in his recovery from the head injury. Even if Anderson passes through the five-step protocol and gains clearance to play this weekend against the Dolphins, it's unclear if he would dress as the No. 2 quarterback behind rookie Josh Allen, as Matt Barkley may have permanently moved ahead of the veteran on the depth chart.

Nov 28, 2018 9:49 AM EST


Remains in concussion protocol

Anderson (concussion) is still in the NFL's concussion protocol Monday, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Anderson initially sustained the head injury on Oct. 29, and has now remained in the league-mandated concussion protocol for nearly an entire month. A timetable for the veteran quarterback's return is still uncertain, but even when Anderson does return to the lineup he'll only serve a second or third-string role behind rookie Josh Allen.

Nov 26, 2018 3:38 PM EST


Sidelined again Week 12

Anderson (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Jaguars.

Analysis: Although Anderson was able to maintain limited showings at practice this week, he didn't make enough progress to complete his journey through the concussion protocol. At the same time, Josh Allen has recovered from a sprained elbow in his throwing arm, setting the rookie up to retake his starting job Sunday. With Anderson sidelined, Allen's direct backup will be Matt Barkley.

Nov 23, 2018 11:46 AM EST


Logs limited practice

Anderson (concussion) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Analysis: If Anderson clears the NFL's concussion protocol in advance of Sunday's game against the Jaguars, he'd be in line for backup duty behind Josh Allen (elbow), with the rookie QB now on track to return to the Bills' starting lineup this weekend.

Nov 21, 2018 1:20 PM EST


Dons helmet for practice

Anderson (concussion) was spotted with a helmet at Tuesday's practice, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com reports. The quarterback still remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, however, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: While Anderson still needs to receive clearance from an independent neurologist before being removed from the protocol, his presence on the field Tuesday at least suggests he's progressed to the point of participating in light football activity. Anderson previously hadn't been wearing his helmet at any of the Bills' practices since suffering the head injury Oct. 29 against the Patriots. It appears the veteran signal-caller will have a realistic shot at clearing the protocol prior to Sunday's game against the Jaguars, but he may have dropped from second to third in the pecking order at quarterback behind Matt Barkley, who shined in the Bills' Week 10 win over the Jets while both Anderson and No. 1 option Josh Allen (elbow) were sidelined.

Nov 20, 2018 11:08 AM EST


Remains in protocol

Anderson remains in the NFL's concussion protocol and wasn't available to practice Monday, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Anderson sustained the head injury back on Oct. 29, so it's somewhat troubling that he has yet to advance to the fourth phase of the five-step protocol, which allows players to participate in non-contact football activities. Even if Anderson progresses enough in the coming days to clear the protocol ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars, he could be a healthy inactive. Josh Allen (elbow) practiced fully Monday and is on track to return from a four-game absence and start this weekend, while Matt Barkley's stellar performance in a Week 10 spot start against the Jets may have been enough to keep him ahead of Anderson on the depth chart as the No. 2 quarterback.

Nov 19, 2018 8:42 AM EST


Still in concussion protocol

Anderson (concussion) remains in the concussion protocol Monday, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

Analysis: Anderson continues to progress in his recovery from a concussion sustained in Week 8. With Matt Barkley having led the Bills to a 41-10 win over the Jets and rookie quarterback Josh Allen (elbow) nearing a return to full health, it appears unlikely that Anderson will start another game this season. It's possible that the veteran could remain in Buffalo as a depth option, but Anderson could realistically be a candidate for release when healthy.

Nov 12, 2018 12:09 PM EST


Ruled out for Week 10

Anderson (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jets, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Anderson was sidelined with his concussion at the Bills' first two practices of the week, and the team has decided he will not be able to make enough progress in the concussion protocol to play in Week 10. Head coach Sean McDermott did not reveal his starter for this week at his Friday morning press conference, but according to Joe Buscaglia of WKBW.com, he left the door open for any of Josh Allen (elbow), Nathan Peterman, or Matt Barkley to get the nod.

Nov 9, 2018 7:36 AM EST


Deemed non-participant in practice

Anderson (concussion) was listed as a non-participant in Thursday's practice.

Analysis: Anderson remains embedded in the NFL's concussion protocol, and his failure to practice in any capacity since sustaining the head injury Oct. 29 suggests he hasn't made much tangible progress in his recovery. Per Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic, Anderson was in attendance for practice but wasn't spotted with a helmet, with Sal Capaccio of WGR Sports Radio 550 Buffalo later relaying that the signal-caller merely worked out with trainers on the side before calling it a day. The Bills were hopeful earlier in the week that Anderson would pass through the five-step protocol and be available to start Sunday against the Jets, but that looks far from certain at this juncture.

Nov 8, 2018 11:51 AM EST


Still not practicing

Anderson remains in the concussion protocol and will not practice Wednesday, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

Analysis: Coach Sean McDermott already said Anderson, if cleared, would start in Week 10 over turnover-happy Nathan Peterman, but with the veteran still not practicing following the Week 8 injury, that scenario is starting to look sketchy. The best hope for the Bills might be if rookie Josh Allen (elbow) can get up to speed by Sunday. Allen is practicing on a limited basis Wednesday.

Nov 7, 2018 8:31 AM EST


Could start Week 10

Coach Sean McDermott made it clear Anderson (concussion) is ahead of Nathan Peterman in the pecking order at quarterback, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Not that there was really any doubt, but McDermott confirmed Anderson will start against the Jets in Week 10 if he's cleared from the concussion protocol and Josh Allen (shoulder) still isn't ready. The team may want to play it safe with the rookie ahead of a Week 11 bye.

Nov 5, 2018 1:27 PM EST


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