Former Florida defensive back Kaiir Elam has been placed on IR by the Buffalo Bills, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Elam aggravated an ankle injury during the Bills’ win vs. the New York Giants in Week 6, then was a full participant going into Week 8 but was limited in all of the practices prior to Week 7. Elam didn’t practice on Wednesday prior to the announcement.

Before the decision was made, Bills GM Brandon Beane outlined the scenario with Elam and expressed no interest in trading the 2022 first-round pick. Elam previously sat out 5 contests this season and has struggled in the reps he’s played.

“Not everything’s been perfect, and he has had a nagging ankle,” Beane said via the Buffalo News. “We’re discussing whether to shut him down or not and let it heal. So he has been a scratch, I wouldn’t say he’s been a 100% healthy scratch, part of it has been it hasn’t worked out perfectly in the games so far.”

Beane is optimistic that Elam can eventually fulfill the potential he showcased at Florida. Elam was selected to the All-Freshman team and then was a Second-team selection in the SEC.

“Not everything has worked out perfect, but he’s a young player,” Beane said via ESPN. “He’s halfway through Season 2. And I’ve gone back and looked at his college stuff. And I see it. I know what’s in there. We just, we got to get it out of him. We got to get his confidence up and make sure he gets back to 100%, however we do that.”