C.J. Spiller Doubtful For Bills On Sunday, Will Be Game-Time Decision

C.J. Spiller is unlikely to take the field for the Buffalo Bills this weekend so he can rest a nagging ankle injury.

Spiller has been hampered by his right ankle for several games, and as a result the Bills have increased the carries for Fred Jackson and third-stringer Tashard Choice. But with Spiller unable to get sufficient time to rest the ankle, and the Bills bye week not until Thanksgiving, it appears head coach Doug Marrone is ready to sit his star running back.

Spiller is officially listed as doubtful for the Bills trip to New Orleans on Sunday to face the 5-1 Saints, but the team said he will be a a game-time decision.

There have been rumors of a rift between Spiller and Marrone over the benching, though Spiller has denied any animosity.

From the team’s perspective, it is best to sit C.J. Spiller now and allow him to return to 100 percent, especially in a difficult match-up against the Saints. To make the decision even easier, there isn’t much of a dropoff — if any — to No. 2 rusher Fred Jackson, who is on pace to set career records in rushing yards and total yards from scrimmage.

The Bills also have a solid, reliable rusher in Tashard Choice and just recalled Ronnie Wingo, a 6-foot-3, 250-pound running back who had been on the team’s practice squad.

Sitting C.J. Spiller now would allow him to rest and return for a stretch of winnable games, including what could be a favorable match-up with the Kansas City Chiefs. Though the Chiefs are the last remaining undefeated team in the NFL, the Bills can take advantage of their strong running game against a team giving up an average of 110 yards a game.