AP source: Bills’ LeSean McCoy expected to play after thumb surgery
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – A dislocated left thumb isn’t expected to prevent LeSean McCoy from missing a game.
A person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Monday that the Buffalo Bills running back is expected to play against Jacksonville this weekend after having surgery for the injury.
The person spoke to The AP on the condition of anonymity because Bills coach Rex Ryan declined to provide a definitive answer regarding McCoy’s playing status a day after the player was hurt in the first half of a 16-12 win at Cincinnati .
Ryan confirmed McCoy had surgery after the team returned home on Sunday night, but wouldn’t commit to whether he might play against the Jaguars.
“I guess we’ll see how he progresses through the week,” Ryan said.
The best answer Ryan gave came when he compared McCoy’s chances of playing to that of receiver Robert Woods, who sprained his left knee against the Bengals.
In already listing Woods as “doubtful,” Ryan acknowledged he was more encouraged about McCoy’s status.
That’s potentially good news for an offense that’s had trouble staying healthy for much of this season. The Bills are already missing their top receiving threat, Sammy Watkins (left foot) and starting center Eric Wood (broken right leg).
McCoy was hurt when he fell on his left hand while being pushed out of bounds following an 8-yard run late in the second quarter. He immediately grabbed his hand and ran off to the locker room before being ruled out.
He leads Buffalo with 716 yards rushing and seven touchdowns, including one scored against the Bengals, and also has 144 yards receiving and a touchdown.
McCoy played a key role for a Tyrod Taylor-led offense that leads the NFL with 1,578 yards rushing.
Buffalo has topped 160 yards rushing in each of its past three games and six times this season, including a 312-yard outing in a 45-16 win over San Francisco on Oct. 16.
In beating the Bengals, the Bills (5-5) snapped a three-game skid to remain in the playoff picture.
Because of tiebreaking scenarios and a 2-4 conference record, Buffalo has little margin for error in a bid to end the NFL’s longest active postseason drought, which is at 16 years.
Woods, who leads the team with 42 catches and 493 yards, was hurt in the first quarter when his cleat got stuck in the turf and his left leg bended awkwardly while being tackled after making a 13-yard catch.
Ryan had no update on whether Watkins will be cleared for practice this week. Watkins was placed on injured reserve in September and has missed eight games since aggravating an injury to his surgically repaired left foot.
Under NFL rules, the Bills have the option of activating Watkins within the next two weeks.
“I really don’t know how realistic it is,” Ryan said when asked about Watkins. “I think I speak on behalf of every Buffalo Bill fan, we all are hoping he can play some. But we’ll see how it goes.”
If Watkins and Woods can’t play, the Bills will be down to their backup receivers, led by outside speedster Marquise Goodwin, as well as tight end Charles Clay.