Bills vs. Patriots: Fred Jackson Trying Out Knee Brace

If Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson is able to suit up for this Sunday's game against the New England Patriots at Ralph Wilson Stadium, he'll be doing so with a brace on his dinged up left knee. Per BuffaloBills.com, Jackson practiced with the brace on today, and was not terribly pleased with the results.

"No running back is going to like playing with a brace," Jackson told reporters. "It’s okay though. I’ll have to get used to it because I know I’ve got to play in it. It’s not uncomfortable, just different."

In particular, Jackson expressed dissatisfaction with his ability to get in and out of cuts, noting that he's fortunate that he has two more days of practice and a handful of walk-throughs to see if things get better in that regard. Still, Jackson's availability for Sunday may not be as concrete as many had hoped, and how Jackson's knee responds to today's work will go a long way toward determining whether or not he'll play.

"I think that’s what’s going to determine more than anything is how I’m feeling like the next day," Jackson said. "If I can come out here and continue to work that’ll help me get better. But if I wake up tomorrow and it’s swollen or too sore to do anything then it’s going to set me back."

C.J. Spiller, meanwhile, told reporters before practice that he hopes to practice by week's end, but also noted that he wasn't going to rush back into the lineup if he didn't feel like he could give it his all and take hits on his sprained shoulder.

Jackson (limited) and Spiller (did not participate) were two of four players listed on the injury report for Wednesday, where they were joined by wide receiver Ruvell Martin (DNP - ankle) and cornerback Leodis McKelvin (DNP - groin). McKelvin sounds like he'll be back to practice tomorrow, but the Bills may be without Martin, a starting punt gunner, for a second straight week.