Fred Jackson could be back in Week 4

Fred Jackson, C.J. Spiller both questionable for Week 4

Buffalo Bills running backs C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson are both listed as questionable for Week 4 against the New England Patriots due to injury. However, head coach Chan Gailey said that both players have a legitimate chance to play on Sunday.

Jackson has remained optimistic that he will be able to suit up and told reporters that the only way he was going to miss the game was going to be if something unexpected happens prior to game time. Earlier this week, Jackson said that he was 70-75 percent certain that he will be playing. He is attempting to return from the LCL sprain sustained in Week 1 against the New York Jets.

In terms of Spiller, it was widely expected that he would be unavailable against the Patriots after suffering an AC joint sprain against the Cleveland Browns in Week 3. However, the back has participated in practice the last two days and it seems as though it will be up to the medical staff to determine whether he plays and, if so, how prominent his role will be.

Running back Tashard Choice is available regardless of the status of Jackson or Spiller.

Fred Jackson injury: Bills optimistic for Sunday

There's some good news on the injury front for Bills fans on Thursday, as running back Fred Jackson made it through practice and looks like a return on Sunday might be possible after all. According to Tim Graham, Bills coach Chan Gailey is "optimistic" that he'll have Jackson available for Sunday when the Bills take on the New England Patriots:

Bills coach Chan Gailey said Fred Jackson got through practice well and remains optimistic for Sunday barring setbacks.

— Tim Graham (@ByTimGraham) September 27, 2012

Jackson suffered the injury during Week 1 of the NFL season, but C.J Spiller stepped in and did a fantastic job in his absence. Unfortunately for the Bills, Spiller went down with a shoulder injury on Sunday against the Browns as well. With both Jackson and Spiller injured, the Bills were going to have to rely on Tashard Choice and Johnny White to carry the load on the ground. If Jackson is healthy enough to play, it will be a big boost to Chan Gailey's offense.

Jackson and the Bills will host the defending AFC Champions on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET from Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park. The game will be televised on CBS.

Fred Jackson injury: back at practice earlier than expected

Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson returned to practice ahead of schedule on Wednesday afternoon following the LCL sprain he suffered in Week 1 against the New York Jets.

Originally predicted to miss any where from three-to-eight weeks, Jackson has recovered far more quickly than was originally anticipated and head coach Chan Gailey stated on Monday that the back was expected to return to practice at some point this week. While Gailey refused to speculate about whether Jackson would be available for Sunday's meeting with the New England Patriots, the back said that he was 70-75 percent certain that he would be able to play.

With running back C.J. Spiller already expected to be out for Sunday due to an AC Joint sprain he sustained against the Cleveland Browns, the addition of Jackson would give the Bills depth in the backfield. If Jackson is able to go, he will help Tashard Choice carry the workload.

Fred Jackson Says He's 70-75% For Week 4

Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson stated that he is 70-75 percent certain that he will be able to play in Sunday's game against the New England Patriots. Jackson has been recovering from the LCL sprain he suffered in Week 1 against the New York Jets and has been forced to sit out the last two weeks.

The original time-table for his return was placed at three-to-eight weeks. However, Jackson has recovered far more quickly than was originally anticipated and head coach Chan Gailey stated that the back will be returning to practice some time around mid-week (although he wasn't willing to speculate about Jackson's availability for Week 4).

With running back C.J. Spiller already ruled out for Sunday, the addition of Jackson would return depth to the Buffalo backfield as he would help Tashard Choice carry the workload.

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Fred Jackson Injury: Bills RB Will Practice This Week

Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson is expected to return to practice at some point this week, according to head coach Chan Gailey. Jackson is still recovering from the LCL sprain he suffered in Week 1 against the New York Jets and should return to the practice field either Wednesday or Thursday.

Jackson was projected to miss any where from three to eight weeks while recovering from the injury. According to Gailey, Jackson's recovery has been amazing, which has put him ahead of schedule. However, the coach wouldn't begin speculating whether the back would be able to play against the New England Patriots in Week 4. With C.J. Spiller expected to sit out Sunday as well, Tashard Choice would take over the role as starter.

Via the Bills' official website:

"Tashard Choice is a pretty good back," said Gailey. "I have no qualms about running with him"

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Fred Jackson Injury Update: Bills' RB Out 3-8 Weeks, Team Announces

Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson is likely going to miss somewhere between three and eight weeks of play with the sprained LCL that he suffered during the team's loss to the New York Jets on Sunday. The 2011 rushing leader for Buffalo had an MRI on Monday following the injury, but the results on his knee were inconclusive.

Head coach Chan Gailey was the one to make the three to eight week diagnosis, according to Buffalobills.com:

"It’s going to be a few weeks," said head coach Chan Gailey. "It’s not going to be three, but I don’t think it’s going to be eight, but it’s probably somewhere in there in between. Hopefully sooner than later."

Buffalo will have to hope that C.J. Spiller continues to come up big for the team in Jackson's absence. Spiller put together the best day of his career after Jackson left the game, picking up 169 yards and a touchdown.

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Fred Jackson Injury: Likely Out Week 2, MRI Reveals Little

Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson is expected to miss the team's Week 2 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs due to an injured right knee, according to Adam Schefter.

Jackson underwent an MRI on Monday that returned inconclusive results, which has left doctors to recommend the 31-year-old running back rest for 7-10 days. Following that period of inactivity, they hope to reexamine the injury and establish a timetable. However, that means playing Sunday is unlikely.

The injury was initially sustained during Sunday's loss to the New York Jets on a second quarter rushing attempt up the right side. Able to walk off the field under his own power, Jackson was seen testing the injured leg on the sidelines.

He ended the day with six carries for 15 yards.

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Fred Jackson Injury: What Is Recovery Time On Sprained LCL?

Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson will have an MRI on his right knee to confirm what is expected to be a sprained lateral collateral ligament and to diagnose the degree of that sprain. The recovery time for an LCL sprain can vary greatly depending on the severity revealed in the MRI, from a couple of weeks up to two months.

But if Jackson's injury is indeed a sprain and nothing more severe, the Bills could be hoping to get Jackson back earlier than later.

Jackson injured his knee on a right-side carry in the Bills' 48-28 loss to the New York Jets. Jackson had 15 yards on six carries before leaving the game.

That Jackson was seen on the sidelines testing the knee and left under his own power should be good signs for the Bills. Jackson was making his return to the field after missing the last six games of 2011 with a broken leg.

C.J. Spiller performed well in Jackson's absence, rushing for 169 yards and a touchdown.

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Fred Jackson Sprains LCL In Right Knee, Per Report

Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson left Sunday's season opener against the New York Jets after suffering an apparent right knee injury during the game. The initial diagnosis for Jackson's injury is a sprained LCL, but the running back will undergo an MRI on Monday, as ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

With Jackson sitting out, third-year backup C.J. Spiller has been getting most of the carries in his place against New York. There likely won't a timetable for Jackson's possible return until the results of the MRI are available, so Spiller could be the starter in the short term.

While Jackson carried the ball just six times before leaving the game, the Bills' running game has been just fine without him. Spiller has been spectacular so far, carrying the ball 13 times for 166 yards and a touchdown.

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Fred Jackson Injury: Bills RB To Have MRI On Right Knee

The Buffalo Bills will be without running back Fred Jackson the rest of their game against the New York Jets after he injured his knee in the second quarter of the game.

Jackson was able to move around some on the sidelines late in the first half, however he was unable to get it to the point where he could return.

Following up on Fred Jackson's knee injury- he will have an MRI Monday. Have to root for him. Just back from knee surgery

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) September 9, 2012

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Fred Jackson Injury: Bills RB Hurts Knee

Fred Jackson took a nasty hit to the knee in the second quarter against the New York Jets and was removed from the game.

The Jets currently lead the Bills 21-0, and Jackson had 15 yards on six carries before the injury.

Running back C.J. Spiller will fill in for Jackson while he is out, and is doing an admirable job so far. Spiller has rushed for 59 yards on three carries with a touchdown -- most of that coming from a 56-yard run.

It also appears that Jackson is up and walking around on the sidelines, which is definitely a good sign for the Bills after taking such a hard hit.

Fred Jackson is up and walking around on the sideline. Gingerly. But it's a good sign after nasty-looking knee injury

— Zach Schonbrun (@zschonbrun) September 9, 2012

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