It's sounding like the Buffalo Bills will be playing the New York Jets in Week 17 without the services of starting tight end Charles Clay.
#Bills HC Rex Ryan: I don't expect Charles Clay to play this week with the back injury
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) December 28, 2015
Clay injured his back in the Bills' Week 14 loss to Philadelphia, and has not played since. He was a key figure in the Bills' 22-17 road win over the Jets back on November 12, catching five passes for 52 yards in a game that the Bills squeaked out despite struggles offensively.
If Clay cannot, in fact, play on Sunday, he'll end his first season as a member of the Bills with 51 receptions for 528 yards and three touchdowns. Those 51 receptions are still the highest total for the team this season, although Sammy Watkins is breathing down his neck with 49 going into the final game.
In other injury news, Ryan told reporters that the Bills are hoping that Marcell Dareus will be able to play on Sunday despite a pinched nerve, and that they'll wait and see how effective LeSean McCoy can be in practice this week before making a decision on his availability. Other starters on the mend include right guard John Miller, linebacker Nigel Bradham, and cornerback Ronald Darby.