LeSean McCoy

NFL Rumors: LeSean McCoy could play for Bills on Sunday

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

LeSean McCoy seems sure to be limited on Sunday, but the Buffalo Bills may have their top running back available against the Miami Dolphins.

The Buffalo Bills have won four games in a row since an 0-2 start, and not coincidentally running back LeSean McCoy has topped 100 yards on the ground in three of those four contests. But a hamstring injury suffered during practice on Wednesday has left McCoy’s status for Sunday against the Miami Dolphins up in the air.

Reports regarding McCoy’s status have ranged from possibly missing multiple games to being a game-time decision on Sunday. McCoy reportedly did travel with his teammates to Miami, and the positive trend about his ability to suit up against the Dolphins has been maintained by Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.

Even if he is active, McCoy is not likely to have what has become a typical 20-touch workload on Sunday. Primary backup Mike Gillislee, who is averaging 6.9 yards per carry so far this season, is definitely in line for a bigger role with McCoy operating at less than full strength.

ESPN’s Josina Anderson reported on Friday that he Bills were “trying to push” McCoy to play on Sunday. With the various ailments he dealt with while missing four games in 2015 (knee, shoulder, hamstring), and a preseason hamstring issue this year, that does not seem very wise. But with the unproven Gillislee, Reggie Bush and rookie Jonathan Williams behind him on the depth chart, and an injury-thinned group of wide receivers, the Bills surely want to have McCoy on the field in some capacity.

McCoy may function mostly as a decoy against the Dolphins, or he could be healthy enough to make a notable impact with limited work. There’s a wide range of outcomes, including a setback with his hamstring before or very early in the game, and McCoy’s ability to actually produce may determine if the Bills continue their winning streak or not.