The Buffalo Bills are preparing to end what was once a positive season with disappointment. Following their loss to the Washington Redskins, the Bills are out of the running for the playoffs and will now simply need to focus on the future as injuries hit the team once again. With two games left to play in the year, LeSean McCoy could be watching them from the sidelines after injuring his knee in Week 15.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, McCoy tore his MCL in his right knee on Sunday and is now considering week-to-week with two games left to play. The running back took a hit in the third quarter and was able to walk off the field under his own power. However, an MRI revealed the tear and now McCoy could simply be shut down for the season. This is yet another injury on the resume of the running back who dealt with hamstring and shoulder issues throughout the year.
The loss of McCoy certainly hurts moving forward, but the Bills have Karlos Williams to pick up the slack which will be fine for the remaining weeks in the season. The rookie running back has had a breakout year playing behind McCoy and that will continue with him as the starter. For one more week at least, he is a fantasy football savior. Mike Gillislee will be his backup as the running back could see more time on the field. He broke off for a 60-yard touchdown against the Redskins in Week 15 which should give some hope to fans.
Williams and McCoy were a dynamic duo this year and the Bills' benefitted from it. They prove there is a positive future ahead for the franchise while Tyrod Taylor looks like he will be a part of that. The quarterback is playing on an expiring contract and head coach Rex Ryan is telling the media he expects a new deal to get done and Taylor to return as the team's starter in 2016. After beating out EJ Manuel and Matt Cassel at the start of the year, Taylor looks like he could be something great for Buffalo.
General manager Doug Whaley was not ready to give him the long-term endorsement just yet. Taylor must prove that he is not a one-season wonder for the Bills as the contract for the quarterback could be difficult to plan out. "Is he the long-term starter?" Whaley said, via ESPN.com. "Let's put it this way: He's shown us enough that we can obviously keep trying with him. But it won't preclude us from going out and protecting ourselves [in case] he's not."
Whaley is right to be cautious when it comes to Taylor. He has shown great things this year while struggling at times. With players like Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods returning next year along with the strong run game, Taylor has a chance to keep improving which will benefit the Bills moving forward.