ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Safety Micah Hyde has rejoined the Buffalo Bills by signing to the practice squad on Wednesday in a late-season move.

Hyde is back with the Bills to bring leadership and insurance at the safety position. A chance to add a proven player like Hyde for a playoff push was important for both sides.

"Obviously, you’re taking on a different role, but ultimately the dream has always been, the goal has always been to bring a championship back to Buffalo. And if I can help in anyway, if I’m able to give Taylor Rapp or Damar Hamlin or whoever is out there a nugget to make a big play in a big game, I did my job," Hyde said.  

Hyde never officially retired after last season, keeping the door open for this possibility and saying it was Buffalo or nowhere. The Bills left Hyde’s locker unoccupied all season and his No. 23 jersey remained unused. 

"He just has a unique way about him from a leadership standpoint of who he is as a person and his presence and the way he’s very adaptable to people and his surroundings," head coach Sean McDermott added.

McDermott was careful to point out that he’s happy with the rest of the defensive backs on the team and Hyde’s return doesn’t change any of their roles — saying he quote “We’re in a good spot” as he manages expectations for the soon to be 34 year old former All-Pro.  

Hyde and Jordan Poyer formed the Bills starting safety tandem since they were among the first two players signed by the Bills in free agency in March 2017, months after McDermott was hired as coach. Poyer was released by Buffalo in March and now plays for Miami.

"This place is home and then walking back into this building, the excitement that I would have seeing people and also the excitement that they would have seeing me, it’s a match made in heaven baby," Hyde said.

Hyde spent his first four seasons in Green Bay before signing with Buffalo, where he earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2017 and 2021.

"Yeah, it’s always good to have him back," defensive back Cam Lewis said. "The leadership that he brings, the knowledge around the game and he’s a playmaker as well, so if he gets an opportunity to play again, you already know what he’s going to do."

The 10-2 Bills travel to play the Los Angeles Rams (6-6) on Sunday.