It has been another down season for the Bills, but one of the bright spots has been the play of rookie linebacker Kiko Alonso.
As mentioned in Friday’s one-liners, Alonso has played every defensive snap for the Bills this season and he’s done it at a high enough level to be a candidate for defensive rookie of the year honors. That candidacy is secure, but Alonso may not be able to keep up his perfect attendance record this weekend.
Alonso has been limited in practice all week because of a knee issue and he tweaked it in practice Friday. That’s led to a questionable designation, although coach Doug Marrone said the second-round pick is intent on playing against the Jaguars.
“He tweaked it,” Marrone said, via the team’s website. “Talking to him, in his mind he wants to play. We have 48 hours and we’ll see how it goes.”
Whether or not they have Alonso on Sunday, it doesn’t look like the Bills will have to deal with Jags running back Maurice Jones-Drew. Jones-Drew is doubtful to play because of a hamstring injury, leaving Jordan Todman as the likely starter against Buffalo. Wide receiver Cecil Shorts is questionable because of a groin injury, so the Jags may be down two of their top offensive players in a game that will help shape the top of next year’s draft.