After an inauspicious start to the 2015 season against the Indianapolis Colts, LeSean McCoy’s hamstring injury was re-aggravated on Thursday, forcing the Buffalo Bills star running back out of practice.
McCoy hasn’t been fully healthy since mid August, and even after taking it easy for a month during training camp, the hamstring still remains tender.
“He just felt sore so we just backed him out of it,” Bills coach Rex Ryan said after practice on Thursday, via NFL.com.
McCoy did make the start for the Bills in Week 1 against Indy but struggled mightily, gaining just 41 yards on 17 carries (2.4 yards per carry). And, as fantasy owners can tell you, if not for his 48 receiving yards on three catches he would have been completely irrelevant as a fantasy player last weekend.
The Bills host the hated New England Patriots this Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium, and it’s no secret Ryan will need all hands on deck if he has a chance to knock off his nemesis Bill Belichick. Quarterback Tom Brady got off to a hot start to the season, tossing four touchdown passes — three of which went to behemoth tight end Rob Gronkowski.
Ryan doesn’t even want to think about heading into this rivalry game without his star running back.
“I don’t even want to think that way … but like I said I’m not giving up on McCoy playing,” Ryan said when asked if Williams might get the start in place of McCoy.
“Not giving up” doesn’t sound very optimistic.
Fantasy owners should keep a very close eye on McCoy health updates this weekend. Even if he does end up playing, based on his poor showing against the Colts — a team that isn’t strong against the run — it might be wise to keep him on the bench until he’s given the all-clear regarding his wonky hammy.