ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — When Gabe Davis left Buffalo two offseasons ago in free agency, it wasn’t a goodbye to the Bills, but a see you later.

“Honestly, I knew when I left I was already going to be back, but I had to leave,” Davis said. “I had to do what was best for me and my family at the time, but when it comes to (Sean) McDermott and (Brandon) Beane and Josh (Allen), Khalil (Shakir), I mean all these guys, I’m super close with them, and I knew there was going to be an opportunity for me to come back again.

“I’ve already seen it before with a bunch of other players, and just having that close relationship, I knew if things didn’t work out in Jacksonville, I knew I’d have a chance to be back in Buffalo.”

This year has been the year of reunions for the Bills, bringing back players like Tre White and Jordan Poyer. After a year with the Jaguars, Davis this season has also returned to the place where he spent his first four seasons.

“The Bills have a thing where they just bring back older players or guys who’ve been on the team before and it’s one big family,” Davis said.

Being back in Orchard Park didn’t mean Davis was fully back, though. He originally signed to the practice squad, still needing to rehab through a significant knee injury, something he calls the biggest piece of adversity of his NFL career.

“This is my first major injury,” Davis said. “I’ve never had a major injury in my whole football career. To tear my PCL and meniscus was definitely a challenge for me. Never been on crutches. Never had to go through something as vigorous as that was, so it really tested me, and you know I’m glad I came on the good side of it, and I’m feeling better.

Feeling better, and now on the active roster. Davis has played in each of the last three games for the Bills, with at least one catch in each game. His knowledge of the offense is likely to make him a key piece of the receiving room the rest of the season.

“Going out there and doing whatever is asked and just getting the wins,” Davis said. “I don’t want to get caught up in anything else. I just want us to win, whether its we get 200 plus yards rushing, or 200 plus yards passing, doesn’t matter.

“We’ve got to go out there and do our job 100%. Take care of each other and go out there and win. It’s gonna be a long season for us, and we’ve gotten close to the Super Bowl a couple times and now it’s time to put  everything about ourselves to the side and let’s go win.”