Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller has shoulder injury, will remain out for a week – NFL News
Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller got a shoulder injury during the first half of Week 3 game against Carolina Panthers on Sunday, September 23, 2012. However, he is likely to return soon as he is showing signs of quick recovery.
When Spiller was taken off the field, it looked like he would be out for a considerable amount of time, but Bills head coach Chan Gailey has indicated that the running back does not seem to have a severe injury as was previously believed. Gailey said:
"Maybe not as bad as originally thought. [We're] not going to completely rule him out this week, but you know, I think it’s more of a chance that he won’t than he will [play Sunday against New England]. Fred will practice this week, I don’t know if it’ll
be Wednesday or Thursday, but he should practice at some point this week.”
Bills will be happy to get Spiller back. They are already without their starting running back Fred Jackson, who is out with a knee injury that he sustained during the season opener against New York Jets.
According to different reports, Spiller sprained his Anterior Cruciate ligament (ACL) during the game. Like Jackson, Spiller is also recovering at a quick pace. He is moving his shoulder quite easily, but still has some swelling and pain.
Gailey expressed relief about getting his top players back. He carried on and said:
"We’ve lost Fred and C.J., and you say we’re catching a break? They do look like they could have been [worse], and ... if we look at it that way, we probably are fortunate they aren’t long term."
Spiller was looking forward to getting maximum output from the opportunity of replacing Jackson as a starter.
However, this injury has greatly minimised his chances of getting the starting position back as Jackson is likely to return for Week 4 game.
Spiller was drafted by Bills as the ninth overall pick in the 2010 draft. He had a good season last year, scoring six touchdowns while covering 561 yards.
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