When the Bills suited up against the Titans in recent seasons, defensive tackle DaQuan Jones was on the sideline opposite the one he’s on now. Jones spent six seasons in Tennessee and now, he’s preparing to go up against his former team for the first time as a member of the Bills.

“We know this heated rivalry is getting more attention and getting more head of steam,” Jones said. “To be on this side it feels kind of funny. At the same time, I’m excited to go out there and see it from this point of view.”

Jones has seen firsthand the challenge running back Derrick Henry forces onto teams every time he steps on the field. From teammate to now opponent, Jones will be responsible for stopping the RB, which he knows isn’t an easy task.

“The challenge for us is going to be the mindset,” Jones said. “We’re going to have to go in there and dominate our opponent in one-on-one matchups. And if we do that, we’re going to be alright.”

Bills head coach Sean McDermott and Titans head coach Mike Vrabel praised the great teammate and person Jones is on and off the field. McDermott went on to share that his lead-by-example approach has fit right into the Bills defense.

“He’s been very solid, very steady in his approach day to day, and he’s a pro,” McDermott said. “He’s strong fundamentally and he comes to work every day, and there’s a lot to be said for that.”

“I think DaQuan has improved since the day he got into the NFL,” Vrabel said. “I got a lot of respect for him as a person and as a player, and it looks like he’s continuing to do that and help in Buffalo.”

The DE is closer to his hometown of Johnson City, NY now that he’s in Buffalo and about 25 members of his family will be in town for Monday night’s game, which rarely happened when he was playing in Tennessee and Carolina.

“It’s going to be exciting to have everybody out here and to be able to see everybody,” Jones said. “To have all my family come up here is going to be pretty fun.”