The Bills know their rushing attack won’t be at full strength Sunday, but they’re hoping they have at least one of their backs back.
According to Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News, Fred Jackson gave himself a “70 to 75 percent chance” of playing against the Patriots Sunday
“From the workout and the rehab [Monday] morning, it went extremely well. It looks like he’s going to practice Wednesday and we’ll see how he feels during the course of the week,” Bills coach Chan Gailey said. “I’m very optimistic.”
Jackson has missed two games with a sprained LCL in his right knee, and will wear a brace when he returns, after trying several models with the training staff.
As for C.J. Spiller, who leads the league in yards from scrimmage but injured his shoulder last week, there was also some degree of optimism.
“Maybe not as bad as originally thought,” Gailey said. “[We’re] not going to completely rule him out this week, but you know I think it’s more of a chance that he won’t [play against New England] than he will.”
Gailey also said there was a “good chance” Spiller would be able to return the following week at San Francisco.
The Bills have embodied “next man up,” with Spiller freaking out after Jackson’s injury, and Tashard Choice responding to Spiller’s with 20 carries for 91 yards in Sunday’s win over the Browns.
How they manage them as they come back is a problem Gailey’s glad to have.