Bills Rout Ravens 36-10 With Stone Back
Buffalo's defense got a boost from Geno Stone, who returned to the lineup after being called up from the practice squad.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Football
The Buffalo Bills defeated the Baltimore Ravens 36-10 in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, November 1. Geno Stone made his first appearance of the 2026 season after being promoted from the practice squad while C.J. Gardner-Johnson serves a suspension.
Why it matters
Stone's return gives Buffalo depth in the secondary during Gardner-Johnson's absence. Stone was cut by the Bills in August before being brought back, adding a layer of roster flexibility for the team in Buffalo.
Stone recorded five tackles, one tackle for a loss, and one pass defended in his return, after playing for the Ravens from 2020 to 2023. Gardner-Johnson entered the game with nine missed tackles, a figure that frames the secondary's depth concerns.
The players
Geno Stone
Stone is a safety who played for the Baltimore Ravens from 2020 to 2023 before joining the Buffalo Bills organization.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Gardner-Johnson is a Bills defensive back whose suspension opened the door for Stone's call-up.
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are an NFL franchise based in Orchard Park, New York, competing in the AFC East.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are an NFL franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland, and were the opponent in this matchup.
The details
Stone hit Ravens running back Justice Hill on third down to force a punt, and later read emergency quarterback Joe Fagnano, jumped the throwing lane, and tipped a pass that rookie cornerback Davison Igbinosun intercepted. Te'Cory Couch started at slot cornerback in place of the injured Dee Alford, and Cole Bishop finished with a strip sack and a tackle for loss.
Timeline
August 2026: The Bills cut Geno Stone from the roster.
Sunday, November 1, 2026: The Bills defeated the Ravens 36-10 with Stone playing.
Next week: C.J. Gardner-Johnson is eligible to return from suspension.
Season Trajectory
Buffalo's win over Baltimore comes as the Bills manage secondary depth through roster moves like Stone's call-up during Gardner-Johnson's suspension. The outcome shapes how the team balances defensive personnel as the season progresses.
Fantasy managers tracking Buffalo's secondary should note that Stone's five tackles and pass defended offer a read on his role. Gardner-Johnson's return next week will clarify how playing time is divided among the Bills' defensive backs.
The takeaway
Roster depth matters in the NFL, and Stone's return shows how practice squad call-ups can fill gaps during suspensions. Readers following Buffalo should watch how the secondary is rebalanced once Gardner-Johnson is back.
What happens next
C.J. Gardner-Johnson is eligible to return from suspension next week, which will determine how the Bills rotate their secondary.
Further reading
For more on the team's roster and season, see the Football section.
