Bills’ McCoy ‘happy’ with progress from injury
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy says he’s making progress with his right ankle injury but his status is uncertain for Sunday’s AFC wild card playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
McCoy spoke to the media
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yesterday for the first time since suffering the injury in Sunday’s 22-16 win over the Miami Dolphins. He has yet to practice this week, but did participate in stretches yesterday before leaving the field with a trainer.
“I’m definitely happy with how things are working out so far, but there is a lot more room for improvement, especially with where I want to be,” McCoy said. “I know my body, I know myself, especially the way I play is more cutting and running.
“It’s been feeling a lot better. I’m out of the boot and I can walk around without any pain. So that’s a plus.”
McCoy has been Buffalo’s most explosive and most consistent playmaker, finishing the year with 1,138 rushing yards and six touchdowns. His absence would leave a hole in Buffalo’s offensive attack; the Bills finished the regular season with the 31st-ranked passing attack in the league.
“I just want to be able to cut well enough where I don’t have a lot of pain when I’m cutting,” McCoy said. “I just want to be close or the best as far as 100 percent as I can get. But the type of game like this, you’ve got to lay it all on the line. If I can’t get 100 percent, as long as I’m out there and I can run effective enough I’ll do it. So we’ll just see.”
McCoy was quick to mention previous times when he tried to play through injuries in Buffalo and had limited success. McCoy has attempted to play through hamstring injuries in each of the past two seasons. Each time, his production significantly dropped.
“I don’t want to make any promises,” McCoy said.
The Bills have no established running back behind McCoy on the depth chart. Marcus Murphy was promoted from the practice squad ahead of the Week 17 win over the Dolphins, rushing for 41 yards on seven carries. Buffalo also has veteran fullback Mike Tolbert.
“I think we’re moving in the right direction,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said of McCoy. “Will we be able to get there in time? We’ll see.”
Titans’ Murray out
Tennessee running back DeMarco Murray will miss his second straight game with the Titans ruling him out against the Kansas City Chiefs in their AFC wild card game tomorrow.
Coach Mike Mularkey had refused to rule the veteran running back out until yesterday.
Murray hurt his right knee late in a loss Dec. 24 to the Rams and has not practiced since. Murray finished the season with a careerworst 659 yards rushing, but he ran for six touchdowns. He also caught 39 passes for 266 yards with another TD.
Mularkey says starting left guard Quinton Spain is questionable for the Titans against the Chiefs because of his back.
Both tight end Jonnu Smith and cornerback Kalan Reed were cleared from the concussion protocol.
Experience pays
When it comes to the playoffs, the Carolina Panthers have been there, done that.
The Panthers are unquestionably the most battle-tested team in the NFC playoffs with a roster consisting of players who have participated in 187 career postseason games. That’s quite a few more than the Atlanta Falcons (143), and more than double that of Carolina’s first-round opponent, the New Orleans Saints (90).
Philadelphia players have played in 74 playoff games and Minnesota’s 69, while the Los Angeles Rams are the least experienced NFC playoff team with 21.
Whether or not that experience pays off for the Panthers remains to be seen. Carolina enters Sunday’s game at New Orleans having lost both previous regular season matchups to the Saints by a combined 31 points.
But 37-year-old defensive end Julius Peppers believes Carolina’s experience can only help.
“We’ve had guys who have been there before, so I feel like we should be ready and more prepared,” Peppers said. “I feel like guys have been around and know how to approach this thing. I think it will help us keep our poise a little bit too.”