Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs with the ball as San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) pursues and offensive guard Richie Incognito (64) blocks during the second half at New Era Field. Buffalo beat San Francisco 45-16. Photo Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills might have to play Sunday’s game in Miami without running back LeSean McCoy.
McCoy left practice Wednesday with what coach Rex Ryan called a “tight hamstring.” Coach Rex Ryan did not know the severity of the injury and would not speculate on whether McCoy would be able to play.
“We’ll see what happens with our medical evaluation,” Ryan said. “I’m not going to look into it, but we’ll see how he comes back. We feel good about the guys we do have, but that’s assuming he won’t play, so we’ll see how it goes.”
McCoy is the second leading rusher in the NFL with 587 yards, and he leads the NFL with a 5.6-yard average per carry. He’s coming off a game in which he rushed for 140 yards and tied his career high with three touchdowns in Buffalo’s 45-16 victory over San Francisco.
If he can’t play, the Bills would have to turn to backup Mike Gillislee, with veteran Reggie Bush perhaps assuming a larger role in the game plan.
“Losing a player like Shady definitely hurts a team, losing a guy with his type of ability,” said quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who might also have to carry some of the rushing load. “I think he’ll be OK, but we have guys — Reggie, Mike, Jonathan (Williams) — that are ready to step up and take the challenge. All those guys have proven they can play and they’ll accept the challenge.”
