Bills head coach Chan Gailey was asked if Fred Jackson would be able to return from his lower right leg injury before the end of the season and he said he wasn't sure. Just hours later the Bills are certain as they placed Jackson on season-ending injured reserve.
"Further tests on Fred's injured leg have shown that he has a broken bone in his leg, so that's disappointing news for our team and certainly for Fred," said head coach Chan Gailey in a statement. "The process for Fred to return to the field would most likely take him through the end of the season, so we have made the difficult decision to place him on Injured Reserve. This creates an opportunity for C.J. and, as we announced earlier, he will be our starting running back for this week's game against the Jets."
Jackson's right lower leg injury was originally labeled a bruised leg right after the Miami game. Further examination early this week revealed that Jackson suffered a broken fibula, which was listed on the team's injury report Wednesday.
Being placed on injured reserve ends one of the most promising NFL seasons for a running back this year. Jackson was on pace to have the seventh most prolific season in terms of total yards from scrimmage in league history. His season ends with him currently third in the league in rushing and second in the league in yards from scrimmage.
To replace Jackson on the roster Buffalo claimed Tashard Choice off waivers from Washington. Choice is expected to practice on Thursday.
A former fourth-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2008, Choice was released by Dallas earlier this month and was picked up by Washington last week. He appeared in the Redskins game last week against his former club rushing for seven yards on six carries.
His most productive season came in his rookie year with Dallas when he had 92 carries for 472 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He's averaged 4.5 yards a carry for his career.
Choice has a history with Bills head coach Chan Gailey as he played under him at Georgia Tech as well as running backs coach Curtis Modkins where he led the ACC conference in rushing in back-to-back seasons. He finished his college career with over 3,400 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns.
