BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Bills have signed linebacker Chris Draft and safety Todd Johnson in a bid to improve their injury-riddled defense.
Johnson's agent, Peter Schaffer, confirmed that his client signed with Buffalo on Tuesday. Draft's signing was confirmed by a person familiar with the decision who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the Bills hadn't announced it.
The moves come one day after the team announced that linebackers Kawika Mitchell and Marcus Buggs both sustained season-ending injuries during Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Johnson was a fourth-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 2003 and played three years with the team before joining the St. Louis Rams in 2007. Draft is a 10-year veteran who had 38 tackles for the Rams last season.
Buffalo's defense has been besieged by injuries since starting middle linebacker Paul Posluszny broke his forearm in the team's season-opening loss at New England. Since then, the Bills have lost cornerback Leodis McKelvin (broken leg) for the season, and safeties Bryan Scott (ankle) and Donte Whitner (thumb) have both missed the past two games.
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"I feel like I'm pretty close," he said.
Buffalo has lost eight consecutive games within the AFC East since last year, including losses to the Patriots and Miami Dolphins this season.
On Sunday, the Bills' defense allowed just 193 yards, but the offense was anemic for the third game in a row. Buffalo has produced only one offensive touchdown during its three-game losing streak.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press