In a quintessential Bills twist, the team’s top offensive player and highest-paid defender are both questionable for a very important game on the road against a 3-1 team due to injuries they suffered in the final practice of the week.
McCoy (hand) and Dareus (hamstring) are new additions to #Bills injury report as questionable. Rex Ryan said they were hurt in practice.
— Vic Carucci (@viccarucci) October 7, 2016
McCoy has tallied 224 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns during the Bills’ two-game winning streak. He’s also recorded nine catches in that span; between his role in the passing offense and the decrease in ball security afforded by an injured hand, it’s something to keep an eye on. McCoy, for his part, downplayed the injury and is determined to play, but the injury could change his role for the game.
Dareus has yet to play this regular season after missing the first four games due to a suspension. The team has an exemption for his roster spot until Monday, so it’s possible that they’ll keep him inactive to avoid cutting anyone until after the game. Buffalo’s defensive line has played well in the last two games, and there’s no major rush to force him into a Rams game against a struggling Todd Gurley.
Five others are questionable, highlighted by cornerback Stephon Gilmore. He injured his ankle during the first practice of the week and has been limited the rest of the way. Cordy Glenn missed practice on Wednesday but has been able to go in a limited capacity the last two days and should be able to play on his injured ankle.
Four players are out for the game, including wide receiver Greg Salas. He’ll miss his third straight game with a groin injury. Cornerback Corey White has also been ruled out with a shoulder injury; he was placed in the concussion protocol after a collision late in the victory over the Patriots but apparently did some damage to the rest of his upper body as well.
Here’s the full rundown on the injured Bills this week:
TE Charles Clay (knee) - questionable
DT Marcell Dareus (hamstring) - questionable
FB Jerome Felton (back) - questionable
CB Stephon Gilmore (ankle) - questionable
OT Cordy Glenn (ankle) - questionable
RB LeSean McCoy (hand) - questionable
S Jonathan Meeks (foot) - questionable
OT Cyrus Kouandjio (ankle) - out
OL Patrick Lewis (knee) - out
WR Greg Salas (groin) - out
CB Corey White (shoulder) - out