LeSean McCoy Scheduled To Have MRI On Strained Hamstring
LeSean McCoy is the latest Buffalo Bills running back to suffer a leg injury. In a joint practice with the Cleveland Browns earlier today, McCoy was seen limping off the field during drills in the red zone and is now scheduled to undergo an MRI on his left hamstring.
LeSean McCoy leaves Bills practice with hamstring injury. Going for an MRI. (via @buffalobills) pic.twitter.com/TKEUjJRHYW
— NFL (@NFL) August 18, 2015
For a team with no real solid option at quarterback, the Bills plan to rely on McCoy heavily this year to carry the offensive load. While his yards per carry dipped nearly an entire yard from 2013 to 2014, the 3x Pro Bowler is still coming off of a very solid season with 1,319 rushing yards. Additionally, he is an extremely dangerous receiving threat out of the backfield with 300 career receptions and 2,282 yards. In 2014, the Bills finished 25th overall in rushing yards per game, a number they clearly want to improve on moving forward.
According to the Inquisitr, the Bills are now without their top five running backs. The often injured Fred Jackson and Bryce Brown are also on the shelf with hamstring injuries. Boobie Dixon has a calf injury and Karlos Williams is out for an unknown illness, with an expected return time of two weeks at the earliest. Undrafted and unproven rookie running backs Bronson Hill and Ricky Seale are currently the only healthy backs on the roster. With the question mark at quarterback and all of their running back depth currently hurt, the Bills are in serious trouble offensively if McCoy misses significant time.
While LeSean McCoy has suffered hamstring injuries in the past, he is considered a very durable player. He was able to play in all 16 games in 2014 and 2013. Out of his six seasons, he has played in at least 15 games in five of them. In his press conference earlier today, Bills head coach Rex Ryan said the muscle was intact and not separated from the bone. While hamstring injuries can become a problem if they are not given the proper time to heal, McCoy still has nearly a month until the first meaningful game. Still, only 27-years-old with no real history of nagging injuries, McCoy is likely to be ready for the season opener on September 13 when the Bills play the Colts at 1 p.m.
The former Eagle was traded to the Bills in March of this year for linebacker Kiko Alonzo, per a report from NJ. In his first preseason game against the Panthers, McCoy rushed for 16 yards on six carries. He also added a reception for eight yards. Do not expect McCoy to be in uniform Thursday when the Bills take on the Browns.
[Image via Scott Halleran/Getty Images]
