Bills running back Fred Jackson represents 40 percent of Buffalo's offense, which has fallen on hard times the past three weeks. After sustaining what he called a leg "bruise" Sunday against Miami, Jackson insisted he'll be fine, but head coach Chan Gailey wasn't quite as sure on Monday.
"He's banged up, but we'll have to wait and see," said Gailey. "I don't know if I can give you a good answer right now. He's hurting and I doubt he would practice early in the week, but we hope to have him late in the week."
Jackson was injured in the second half of the game and went to the locker room for x-rays on his right leg, which were negative. The thought of not having the unquestioned engine that has been driving Buffalo's offense all season is something no one on the roster wants to think about.
C.J. Spiller served in Jackson's absence Sunday and contributed just two yards on three carries along with a pair of receptions for 18 yards. Spiller, to his credit, blamed himself for failing to punch the ball into the end zone after carries on a 1st-and-goal at the two and 2nd-and-goal at the one.
"That's on me. I should have punched that in," said Spiller. "I'll dwell on that watching it on film. The guys did a great job of hacking it up and I just didn't punch it in. That series right there, that's all on me, it should have been six points."
Gailey saw it differently.
"You can see in film what happened on the play," he said. "If we get everybody blocked like they're supposed to be blocked he'd have scored without a problem."
Jackson has never missed a game in his NFL career so it would be surprising if he didn't at least try to get into the practice setting late in the week.
Jones injury long termAfter Sunday's game Gailey gave Donald Jones high ankle sprain a loose prognosis of 3-6 weeks. On Monday he leaned more toward the longer end of the recovery period.
"It looks like it's more long term than short term for him," said Gailey.
The Bills sideline boss confirmed that with just six games left in the regular season that injured reserve is a possibility for Jones. Jones was rolled up from behind while trying to block for Jackson on a run play. It's the second time Jones has been out of the lineup with a high ankle sprain this season.
Knowing the team may not have Spiller to utilize at wide receiver as he has been when they've been short at that position, with his talents needed at running back with Jackson hobbled, Buffalo may need to make an addition at receiver.
Kamar Aiken is the most likely candidate on the practice squad unless the team chooses to go outside the organization and acquire a free agent.
Wilson still healingThe neck stinger suffered by George Wilson against Dallas in Week 9 is still having its effects on the strong safety. Unable to play Sunday, Wilson would not discuss his injury situation Monday.
Gailey also had trouble pinning down a possible return date for Wilson.
"I don't know," he said. "It's starting to heal, but it's not there yet. So I think if he can make some progress it'll be slow progress. Maybe we get him back this week, maybe we won't."
McGee has surgeryTerrence McGee underwent surgery on Monday for the knee injury he suffered against Miami. Gailey confirmed that McGee's season is over.
