The Buffalo Bills have elevated running back Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad for Thursday night’s home opener against the Detroit Lions, via the NFL transaction log.
The Bills also promoted wide receiver Greg Dortch for two standard practice-squad elevations. Both players were also called up for Week 1 in Houston.
Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video at New Highmark Stadium.
Gore, 24, is the son of Frank Gore Sr., the former 16-year NFL veteran and one of the most productive running backs in league history. The elder Gore ranks among the all-time rushing leaders and spent the 2019 season in Buffalo.
The younger Gore signed with the Bills as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Miss in 2024 and has spent three seasons on the practice squad. Listed at 5-foot-8 and 201 pounds, he wears No. 20.
In last Sunday’s 36-31 win at Houston, Gore played 11 offensive snaps—second-most among Buffalo running backs that day—and finished with one carry for 3 yards. He also contributed on special teams.
That appearance followed a limited NFL debut in the 2025 playoffs, when he caught one pass for 6 yards against the Jaguars. He has yet to score in a regular-season game.
The elevation again points to depth concerns behind James Cook and Ray Davis. Third-down back Ty Johnson has been dealing with a hamstring injury and missed Week 1; Gore’s presence on the 53-man roster for a second straight week suggests the Bills want extra insurance if Johnson remains limited.
Cook remains the featured back after leading the NFL in rushing last season.
Gore earned the call-up with consistent preseason work. He rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries in the 2026 exhibition slate and has shown the vision and toughness associated with the family name.
Coaches have praised his readiness; he has been elevated multiple times across regular season and postseason without blinking.
Dortch, signed after being released by Detroit, averaged 27.3 yards per kickoff return in Week 1 and adds return and receiver depth. The pair of elevations lets Buffalo keep its 53-man roster intact while adding game-day options.
For Gore Jr., another active roster spot is another chance to turn practice-squad persistence into regular-season production. The son of a Bills alum now gets to run in front of the home crowd in Week 2.
Whether he sees more than a handful of snaps will depend on Johnson’s availability and how the game unfolds, but the opportunity itself continues a quiet climb that began as an undrafted rookie three summers ago.
