National Football League

Bills lose top 2 backs, Jackson and Spiller

Published Oct. 19, 2014 9:05 p.m. ET

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The Buffalo Bills had little choice but to try a pass from the 2-yard line with 1 second left in the game.

Their top two running backs had been carted off the field in the first half.

Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller were injured 10 minutes apart during Buffalo's 17-16 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, with Spiller sustaining a shoulder injury and Jackson a groin pull.

It's unclear how long the tandem will be out.

Spiller, carted off in tears, hurt his left shoulder and will miss what coach Doug Marrone called ''an undetermined amount of time.'' Jackson will have more tests before the team can comment.

Jackson was hurt while rushing up the middle for no gain on a third-and-1. He immediately grabbed the inside of his left leg as he was on the field and required help getting up. Then he had difficulty moving his legs while being helped to the sideline. As he was driven off the field, Jackson had his head in his hands.

Soon after, Spiller fell hard to the turf after being tripped from behind by Vikings safety Robert Blanton.

Spiller was in immediate pain as he rolled over on the left sideline. A towel was placed over Spiller's head as he was carefully loaded onto the cart.

The Bills' depleted backfield was down to running back Anthony Dixon and fullback Frank Summers. But they have one other running back on their roster, Bryce Brown, who has been inactive so far this season.

''It's not like we have to go out on the street to get somebody to come in,'' Marrone said. ''I have no problem bringing up Bryce. We talked about (playing him) last week, which I hoped wasn't a jinx.''

Also, Bills starting safety Aaron Williams did not return after aggravating a neck injury in the second half.

The Vikings lost offensive line starters to injury. Center John Sullivan did not return after sustaining a concussion. Right guard Vladimir Ducasse hurt his right knee.

Coach Mike Zimmer said he had ''no idea'' when asked if either has a chance to play at Tampa Bay next weekend.

In a 24-23 loss to Detroit, New Orleans center Jonathan Goodwin left in the second quarter with a left leg injury. The Saints also lost defensive lineman Glenn Foster with a knee injury and nose tackle Brodrick Bunkley with a concussion.

Carolina wide receiver Philly Brown also went out with a concussion in a 38-17 loss to Green Bay. For the Packers, James Starks left the game with a left ankle injury, while CB Davon House left with a finger injury.

Defending Super Bowl champion Seattle lost fullback Derrick Coleman before its 28-26 loss to St. Louis even started. He broke his foot in pregame workouts. Cornerback Tharold Simon was sidelined in the second quarter with an ankle injury.

In Indianapolis, Cincinnati linebacker Vontaze Burfict sustained a cervical sprain and cornerback Leon Hall strained his lower back during the Bengals' 27-0 loss. Colts running back Trent Richardson was pulled early with a hamstring injury.

The Giants, playing their first game without Victor Cruz, who tore his patellar tendon last week, lost two defenseman to injuries in a 31-21 loss to Dallas. Tackle Cullen Jenkins strained a calf and linebacker Jon Beason hurt a toe.

In Oakland, Raiders safety Usama Young left a 24-13 loss to Arizona with a left knee injury.

Also, the Jaguars lost two defenders to injuries. Defensive end Andre Branch left the locker room on crutches after injuring his groin in a 24-6 home win over Cleveland. Linebacker Paul Posluszny will have an MRI on his right shoulder.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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