Bills RB LeSean McCoy’s status uncertain vs Jaguars
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 on Thursday 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 Thursday before leaving the field with a trainer.
“It’s been feeling a lot better,” McCoy said. “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.
Murray to miss wild-card game
Tennessee running back DeMarco Murray will miss his second straight game as the Titans have ruled him out against the Kansas City Chiefs in their AFC wildcard game Saturday.
Murray hurt his right knee late in a loss Dec. 24 to the Los Angeles Rams and has not practiced since. Murray finished the season with a career-worst 659 yards rushing, but he ran for six touchdowns. He also caught 39 passes for 266 yards with another TD.
Harbaugh will not fire coaches
Forced to assess the 2017 season far sooner than anticipated, Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh acknowledged changes must be made for Baltimore to snap its three-year run missing the playoffs.
He will not, however, shuffle the coaching staff.
Harbaugh will fill the void left by the retirement of defensive coordinator Dean Pees, but said Thursday he will bring back offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and attempt to keep the rest of the staff intact unless “guys get opportunities to go somewhere and do some different things.”
Pees announced his retirement Monday, less than 24 hours after the Ravens (9-7) were bounced from the playoff chase with a 31-27 loss to Cincinnati.
Fournette buys watches for offensive line
Leonard Fournette’s thousand-yard season is costing him thousands.
Maybe even tens of thousands.
The Jacksonville Jaguars running back bought seven offensive linemen — five starters and two backups — Rolex watches.
Fournette ran 268 times for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie. He also had 36 receptions for 302 yards and a score.
“I couldn’t do it myself,” Fournette said Thursday, three days before Jacksonville (10-6) hosts Buffalo (9-7) in an AFC wild-card game. “I can’t block 11 guys on my own. That’s the O-line and wide receivers, too. They played a big part of contributing to me getting 1,000 yards.”
Baldwin named to Pro Bowl
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin was added to the Pro Bowl roster Thursday to replace injured Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
Baldwin was originally an alternate. He had 75 receptions for 991 yards and eight touchdowns this season. The Pro Bowl is Jan. 28 in Orlando, Florida.