Buffalo Rumblings - Buffalo Bills' C.J. Spiller Officially Questionable For Week 4Buffalo Bills news, notes, discussions, opinions and analysis. 24/7/365 since 4/7/2007.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48063/buffalorumblings_fave.png2012-09-28T12:55:39-04:00http://www.buffalorumblings.com/rss/stream/31685312012-09-28T12:55:39-04:002012-09-28T12:55:39-04:00Spiller, Jackson Questionable For Week 4
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XwksO7u6gxwuAHo1Zrd1lf_w78o=/0x36:535x393/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/217827/127887875.jpg" />
<figcaption>Andy Lyons - Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Buffalo Bills running backs C.J. Spiller (shoulder) and Fred Jackson (knee) are both listed as questionable for Sunday's Week 4 home game against the New England Patriots.</p> <p>After <a href="http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/9/28/3423236/cj-spiller-fred-jackson-injury-updates-buffalo-bills/in/3169337">both players practiced</a> on Friday, <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Buffalo Bills</a> running backs <span>C.J. Spiller</span> and <span>Fred Jackson</span> have been officially <a href="https://twitter.com/buffalobills/status/251719417027772418">listed as questionable</a> for Sunday's home contest with the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a> - and according to head coach Chan Gailey (via WGR 550's Joe Buscaglia), both have a <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBuscaglia/status/251720631345893376">"legitimate"</a> chance of suiting up.</p>
<p>According to CBSSports.com's Mark Ludwiczak (<a href="https://twitter.com/CBSBills/status/251720900427251713">via Twitter</a>), Jackson "sounded optimistic" that he'll be able to play Sunday, telling reporters that the only way he'd sit out is if "something freaky" happens causing a setback. In the likely event that he does play, Jackson is expected to wear a knee brace to help protect his still-healing sprained LCL suffered in Week 1.</p>
<p>As for Spiller, the general feeling all week has held that it'd be surprising if he played, but he's also practiced for two straight days, lending credence to the idea that he may be able to suit up, after all. How he makes it through the weekend, and whether or not the team's training staff believes his injured shoulder can sustain contact, will go a long way toward determining his availability (and the breadth of his role, as well). Just don't count him out yet.</p>
<p>Knowing that both Jackson and Spiller are not at 100 percent, it's expected that <span>Tashard Choice</span> will also have a role to play on Sunday, perhaps even if both dinged stars play.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/9/28/3423622/bills-vs-patriots-injury-report-cj-spiller-fred-jacksonBrian Galliford2012-09-28T11:39:05-04:002012-09-28T11:39:05-04:00Jackson, Spiller Practicing Friday
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/e4v1l-GRo9RmfriscRCRvUizWA8=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47827779/large_buffalorumblings.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>For a second straight day, <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Buffalo Bills</a> running backs <span>Fred Jackson</span> and <span>C.J. Spiller</span> are <a href="http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2012/09/28/jackson-spiller-not-practicing-again/">on the practice</a> field despite dealing with lingering injuries to the knee and shoulder, respectively.</p>
<p>Jackson, who is expected to play against the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a> on Sunday, has been limited in each of the past two days only two-plus week removed from a sprained LCL. Though he's likely going to suit up, it's still unclear how much of a workload he'll be able to handle. Jackson has already told reporters that he'll be wearing a knee brace if he plays.</p>
<p>Spiller, meanwhile, is practicing for a second straight day after missing Wednesday's practice with the sprained shoulder he suffered in last Sunday's win over Cleveland. He was limited on Thursday, and will likely be listed as limited again today.</p>
<p>We'll know after practice is over how each runner is listed on the injury report, as well as the likelihood of the two star tailbacks suiting up. Jackson seems like a shoo-in at this point, and at the very least, Spiller may end up being a game-time decision if he gets through today's practice without an issue.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/9/28/3423236/cj-spiller-fred-jackson-injury-updates-buffalo-billsBrian Galliford2012-09-27T16:43:14-04:002012-09-27T16:43:14-04:00Jackson Likely To Play, Barring Setback
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ViAz-jecBCwBOHqTpvBA5v7VelI=/0x0:1000x667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/137195/126541368.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tom Szczerbowski - Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey told reporters after practice on Thursday that running back Fred Jackson is looking likely to play in Week 4 against the New England Patriots. Things are less optimistic for C.J. Spiller, however.</p> <p>After the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Buffalo Bills</a> concluded practice on Thursday, head coach Chan Gailey was asked if running back <span>Fred Jackson</span> was on track to play, barring a setback. His response: "That seems to be the case."</p>
<p>"Fred worked and worked well today, and there didn't seem to be any residual affect negatively from yesterday," Gailey said (<a href="http://blogs.buffalonews.com/press-coverage/2012/09/fred-jackson-looking-likely-to-play-vs-pats.html">via <i>The Buffalo News</i></a>).</p>
<p>Jackson, wearing a knee brace on his sprained right knee, was able to make it through the entirety of Thursday's practice. Though he was still listed as limited, Jackson was apparently more upbeat following practice, <a href="https://twitter.com/ByTimGraham/status/251415711040274432">according to the reporters</a> that he didn't speak with.</p>
<p><span>C.J. Spiller</span> also practiced on a limited basis on Thursday (Gailey told reporters that he "took a few reps"), and while he remains vigilant in his quest to not rule anything out before it's official, the general sentiment remains that he's much less likely to play than Jackson is at this point. If Spiller can't go (but Jackson does), that will likely mean a more prominent role for <span>Tashard Choice</span> for a second straight week.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/9/27/3419510/bills-vs-patriots-fred-jackson-cj-spiller-injury-updatesBrian Galliford2012-09-27T14:13:09-04:002012-09-27T14:13:09-04:00Spiller, Jackson Both Practice Thursday
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3jK0mGI6nNsP1z36GeTTFzyO_nc=/0x0:3999x2666/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/130243/20120925_kkt_aa1_220.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Both of the Buffalo Bills' star running backs, C.J. Spiller (shoulder) and Fred Jackson (knee), are practicing the Thursday before the Bills' Week 4 game against the New England Patriots. Both will likely be limited, but this is encouraging news.</p> <p><a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Buffalo Bills</a> running back <span>Fred Jackson</span> is practicing for a second straight day on Thursday, and he's been joined on the field by <span>C.J. Spiller</span>.</p>
<p>The Bills confirmed that Spiller was back on the field and in pads <a href="https://twitter.com/buffalobills/status/251380946908094465">via Twitter</a>. Spiller has sounded unsure about his Week 4 availability since injuring his shoulder in last week's win over the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Browns</a>, but this can't be taken as anything other than a step in the right direction for the third-year tailback.</p>
<p>Jackson, meanwhile, is practicing for a second straight day despite telling reporters this morning that he was experiencing more pain and soreness in his sprained left knee than he had anticipated following Wednesday's practice. Still, he's been allowed back onto the field, and the sentiment remains that he'll be available against the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a> - even if his reps are limited, and even if he's wearing a knee brace.</p>
<p>Both running backs will likely be listed as limited participants today - but if both players are able to practice again on Friday, the chance exists that they'll have both at their disposal for this weekend's ultra-important divisional game.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/9/27/3418634/bills-vs-patriots-c-j-spiller-fred-jackson-both-practice-thursdayBrian Galliford2012-09-26T14:10:57-04:002012-09-26T14:10:57-04:00Spiller May Practice This Week
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/e4v1l-GRo9RmfriscRCRvUizWA8=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47827779/large_buffalorumblings.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> running back <span>C.J. Spiller</span> will not practice on Wednesday, but head coach Chan Gailey did not rule out the possibility of Spiller getting reps by the end of the week when discussing the matter before practice today.</p>
<p>"He’s not going to practice today, but we’re hoping we’ll get him a few reps maybe by the end of the week," Gailey said (<a href="http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2012/09/26/c-j-to-practice-this-week/">via BuffaloBills.com</a>). "I don’t know for sure. We’ll see."</p>
<p>Spiller spoke along the same lines, claiming that he'd like to get back to practice by week's end. If he gets any time on the field before Friday, his chances of playing on Sunday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> increase - and they'll do so dramatically if he's able to do more than just positional work (i.e. he does team work, too).</p>
<p>In the mean time, the general feeling around the situation remains the same: it seems unlikely that Spiller will be available on Sunday. It seems that Spiller and the Bills are hopeful, however, that they'll be able to sneak him onto the field. In the meantime, opening day starter <span>Fred Jackson</span> is <a href="https://twitter.com/buffalobills/status/251018573835804673">back on the field</a>, and all signs point to him being able to play on Sunday.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/9/26/3412702/buffalo-bills-c-j-spiller-may-practice-this-weekBrian Galliford2012-09-24T20:30:05-04:002012-09-24T20:30:05-04:00Bills' Spiller Not Yet Ruled Out
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zLLMUDlvWtlyXsDHUrH46l5txUc=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11367/152640478.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jason Miller - Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Despite getting knocked out of yesterday's win over the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller has not yet been ruled out for Week 4 against New England.</p> <p><a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Buffalo Bills</a> running back <span>C.J. Spiller</span> has not yet been ruled out for Sunday's Week 4 matchup with the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a> - not by head coach Chan Gailey, nor by Spiller himself.</p>
<p>Spiller tells Tim Graham of <i>The Buffalo News</i> that he <a href="http://blogs.buffalonews.com/press-coverage/2012/09/cj-spiller-wont-rule-out-playing-against-patriots-.html">still might play this weekend</a> despite the reported sprained AC joint that knocked him out of yesterday's 24-14 win over the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Browns</a>. Per Graham, Spiller is not wearing any sort of brace and has full range of motion in his shoulder, but is dealing with pain and swelling.</p>
<p>Gailey stopped short of completely ruling Spiller out, but did not sound optimistic about his availability. Still, it's significant that even a small chance exists that he'll play - particularly in conjunction with <span>Fred Jackson</span> telling reporters that he believes there's a 70 to 75 percent chance that he'll suit up for the ultra-important division game at Ralph Wilson Stadium.</p>
<p>Buffalo returns to the practice field on Wednesday to begin preparations for New England.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/9/24/3385498/buffalo-bills-cj-spiller-shoulder-injury-updateBrian Galliford2012-09-24T13:00:31-04:002012-09-24T13:00:31-04:00Bills' Spiller Has Sprained AC Joint
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_XN-NbSephflkX_3Zt0MjKQt6p4=/0x0:3999x2666/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/13423/20120923_pjc_aa1_093.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Jason La Canfora (CBSSports.com) reports that Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller has been diagnosed with a sprained AC joint, and will miss 1-2 weeks while recovering.</p> <p><a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Buffalo Bills</a> fans breathed a sigh of relief on Sunday afternoon when head coach Chan Gailey revealed that star running back <span>C.J. Spiller</span> had not broken his collarbone in yesterday's 24-14 win over the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Browns</a>. We practically shouted for joy when Gailey characterized the injury as short-term.</p>
<p>Today, an official diagnosis is coming forth, with CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora reporting that Spiller has been diagnosed with a <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/250273714153877504">sprained acromioclavicular (AC) joint</a>. (The medically inclined can read about the AC joint <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acromioclavicular_joint">here</a>.) La Canfora also gives Spiller's injury a 1-2 week recovery period.</p>
<p>Coupled with this morning's news that <span>Fred Jackson</span> is <a href="http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/9/24/3381802/buffalo-bills-fred-jackson-cj-spiller-injury-updates">expected to practice this week</a>, it appears that the team is far healthier at running back than most believed the moment Spiller went down yesterday. Time will tell if the Bills will have Jackson for this weekend's game against New England, but they could very well have both back in very short order. That's a significantly smaller bummer than the <a href="http://www.ganggreennation.com/2012/9/24/3382970/darrelle-revis-torn-acl-jets-injury-news">bummer in New Jersey</a> today.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/9/24/3383224/buffalo-bills-c-j-spiller-has-sprained-ac-jointBrian Galliford2012-09-23T17:44:23-04:002012-09-23T17:44:23-04:00Bills' Spiller Could Miss 1-2 Weeks
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zBv5meUxDoCPnTPKBlpZ1ekmSjY=/0x0:3999x2666/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/17285/20120923_pjc_aa1_092.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller does not have a broken collarbone, according to head coach Chan Gailey. He'll apparently be out 1-2 weeks.</p> <p>There is good news and bad news for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> following their 24-14 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a>. The bad news is they lost running back <span>C.J. Spiller</span> but the good news is he will be back sooner than many of us feared and does not have a broken collarbone.</p>
<p>"He's out for a week or two, but I don't know how extensive it is," Bills head coach Chan Gailey said to begin his press conference. "I don't believe it's long, long term. If he misses a week, that's long for me. I think he's going to be out for sure this week and then we'll see where he goes from there."</p>
<p>Several reporters posted it around the same time but my Twitter feed gives it to <a href="http://blogs.buffalonews.com/press-coverage/2012/09/chan-gailey-cj-spillers-collarbone-not-broken.html">Jay Skurski</a> of <i>The Buffalo News</i> first. Browns defensive back <span>Usama Young</span> landed on Spiller in the second quarter on a clean tackle. Tight end <span>Lee Smith</span> immediately signaled for trainers to come out onto the field.</p>
<p>To exacerbate the problem, the Bills were already without running back <span>Fred Jackson</span>. <span>Tashard Choice</span> managed 91 yards on 20 carries as Spiller's replacement against the Browns. Last week, Jackson was seen running in practice and is apparently <a href="http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/9/21/3367482/buffalo-bills-fred-jackson-injury-update-cj-spiller">ahead of schedule</a>. If he could make a return against the Patriots, Buffalo's offense might not miss a beat.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/9/23/3378914/buffalo-bills-cj-spiller-shoulder-injuryMatt Warren