Facing perhaps their most important AFC conference game of the season this Sunday, the Buffalo Bills stand a good chance of still being without running back Marshawn Lynch.
Bills head coach Dick Jauron provided an update Monday on Lynch's status, but the news does not sound promising.
"It is a substantial sprain and injury," said Jauron. "I'm not optimistic, but again I wouldn't count him out because he's young and different."
Jauron was impressed with Lynch's indomitable mindset last week just a day or two removed from suffering the ankle injury against Miami on Nov. 11.
"He came so far this first week and he was so determined that he was going to play the whole week, until Saturday when I told him that he in fact was not going to play," said Jauron. "He really thought he would be able to play. So I don't want to discount him ever because he did heal fast."
Lynch wore an immobilizer boot on his left ankle all of last week, but Jauron said he did not wear it all day yesterday.
"He was (wearing it) up until the end of the week, but he wasn't for a good deal of (Sunday)," Jauron said.
Anthony Thomas, who had 11 carries for 31 yards and three receptions Sunday night, was responsible for carrying the lion's share of the load in Buffalo's running game in Lynch's absence this past Sunday. Rookie Dwayne Wright and Fred Jackson were mixed in sparingly.
Jauron anticipates that Thomas will continue to get the bulk of the work this week at Jacksonville should Lynch be inactive again, with Wright and Jackson spelling the veteran on occasion.
Wright had one carry for one yard and a reception, which he fumbled leading to New England's final touchdown Sunday night. Fred Jackson had three carries for 15 yards and a pair of short receptions.
