Buffalo Bills veteran running back Fred Jackson has been able to practice this week, and he’s well-known for making early comebacks from significant injuries, and we definitely saw cases of that in the past two seasons. Jackson tore his adductor longus in Week 7 against the Minnesota Vikings, but there were rumblings that he would be able to return this week against the Kansas City Chiefs, and that would definitely be an early return for him.
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Even though Jackson has been able to practice throughout the week, he isn’t seen as a lock to play, and it sounds like he isn’t even expected to suit up. Bills head coach Doug Marrone could easily be playing coy with his top running back, but, based on comments he made yesterday and today, it seems like the practice sessions are just to ease Jackson into things. It doesn’t sound like Marrone intends for Jackson to be out there already, as he stated that the 33-year-old isn’t quite where he needs to be in order to play.
According to the Buffalo News’s Vic Carucci, both Jackson and star wide receiver Sammy Watkins have been listed questionable against the Chiefs with groin injuries, so it looks like the Bills will leave their running back up to be a toss-up. I think he has a better chance than Watkins at playing, but we’ll know even more about each of their statuses on Sunday morning.
Watkins didn’t suffer a major injury when he aggravated a groin issue during practice on Wednesday, but he hasn’t been able to practice since. The questionable listing seems generous, but Watkins has played through injuries this season and is a critical part of the Bills offense. I expect the Bills to play it cautious with their star player, rookie, and long-term investment, but it looks like he’ll come down to a game-time decision.