The Bills made it two straight signings in two straight days as the club re-signed restricted free agent linebacker John DiGiorgio Wednesday. The signing comes just a day after Buffalo re-signed restricted free agent wide receiver Justin Jenkins.
Much like Jenkins the Bills did more than just have DiGiorgio sign a one-year restricted tender. By signing a contract with the club, no other NFL team may sign the linebacker to an offer sheet.
DiGiorgio appeared in only six games this past season after suffering a torn ACL while on coverage teams against the San Diego Chargers in Week 7 last fall. But he's optimistic based on how his rehab has fared thus far.
"I'll be back for offseason workouts, hopefully be back for OTAs," said DiGiorgio earlier this offseason. "My progress has been coming along pretty well."
Much like Jenkins, DiGiorgio is a core member of Buffalo's special teams, which earned the top spot from the Dallas Morning News special teams rankings for the third time in five years for the 2008 campaign.
The 2009 season will be DiGiorgio's fourth with the Bills.
Buffalo still has four restricted free agents remaining in linebacker Keith Ellison, defensive back Dustin Fox, quarterback Gibran Hamdan and safety George Wilson. NFL clubs have until Feb. 26 to tender restricted free agents with a qualifying offer to retain right of first refusal compensation. Another option is to sign those players to multi-year deals prior to that date.
