The Buffalo Bills went from having a stacked core of running backs to having just two including one that has never played before. Injuries to both CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson have suddenly stalled out the run game of an already struggling offense. Searching for answers to help put points on the board, the Bills will test out just how valuable a draft-day trade is.
Spiller is officially out for the season. The starting running back broke his collarbone in the win over the Minnesota Vikings. He has officially been ruled out for 2014 and might not return to Buffalo at all considering he is a free agent this coming offseason, Jackson is also out. The veteran running back is expected to miss a month of the season due to a groin injury also suffered in the win over the Vikings. Jackson was a quality starter and backup, so without him the Bills are left with a lot of uncertainty.
"It's not as bad as it could have been," Jackson said, via ESPN.com. "It's typically a four-week injury. But we'll try to do some things to get it sped up. I like to think of myself as somebody who can come back before typical. It's just gonna be on me to get in there and rehab and see the team doctors and do what it is they want me to do."
With both Spiller and Jackson out, the ball gets handed to Bryce Brown who was acquired in the offseason from the Philadelphia Eagles. At the time of the deal, team president Russ Brandon dais acquiring Brown was all about preparation. They felt Brown had the potential to be a real star and with contract negotiations stalling with Spiller, the running back was brought on for insurance. Now he is a starter.
Brown has not suited up all season. He told the media earlier in the year that he was under the impression that he would play immediately, but instead has been a healthy scratch more times than not. Brown says he is very confident in his abilities to be an every-down back for the Bills.
"I mean ... I look at it this way: I've matured," Brown said. "I know if this was the old Bryce in this situation, I probably wouldn't be here right now. So I think that shows a lot, just about my maturity the last few years. I remember when I was in college and things didn't go my way, in the past, I just walked away. That just showed I've matured a lot."
The Bills have not named a starter yet following the injuries to Spiller and Jackson. Based off experience, it can be assumed that Brown gets the nod of Anthony Dixon, but head coach Doug Marrone remains tight-lipped for now.