PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Defensive end Derrick Jones signed by the Buffalo Bills today, two months after he was released by the Atlanta Falcons.

Jones is expected to compete for a backup spot behind starters Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay. With reserve Bryan Copeland nursing a knee injury, the Bills are down a defensive end at training camp.

Jones appeared in one game for the Falcons as a rookie last year. He was originally signed by Pittsburgh in 2007 as an undrafted free agent.

To make room for Jones on their roster, the Bills placed rookie linebacker Alvin Bowen on waived-injured. If not claimed by another team, Bowen will be placed on Buffalo's injured-reserve list later in the day.

The fifth-round draft pick is scheduled for surgery to repair a torn ligament on his right knee, which he injured in practice last week.