Bills: Status for Watkins/Jackson Cloudy

The status for a pair of key components to the Buffalo Bills offense remains up in the air for Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

After leaving practice Wednesday following a groin injury, rookie wide receiver Sammy Watkins didn’t practice at all on Thursday, and may not be able to work Friday either.

The Bills have been extremely quiet regarding Watkins’ injury, and head coach Doug Marrone didn’t give the media much to go on following Thursday’s practice.

"There was a lot of stuff out on it with sources and rumors, so I'm just gonna stick with the injury report and he's not practicing right now," he told reporters. "I'm just gonna stick with the injury report and see what happens tomorrow."

Jackson, who suffered a significant groin injury October 19 against the Minnesota Vikings was able to practice for a second consecutive day, though several accounts from those who saw Jackson say the running back is still moving rather gingerly.

Marrone didn’t appear overly optimistic on his playing status for Sunday with the media.

"I think Fred's not ready to go yet, so we'll see how that keeps progressing during the week," he said "But right now, I'm not sure."

While things certainly can change between now and Sunday, the expectation is Watkins will be on the field but Jackson will not.  According to an Associated Press report Wednesday night that cited a source, the Bills are expecting Watkins to be able to play.

Watkins has been invaluable to the offense; leading the team with 38 receptions for 590 yards and five touchdowns at the midpoint of the season.

The sense I get with Jackson from people I spoke to think he may not return until November 23 when the Bills host the New York Jets. Following Sunday’s game the Bills have a short week before traveling to Miami one week from tonight. Both games figure to carry big implications in a potential AFC Wild Card playoff race.

If Jackson can’t go against the Chiefs the Bills will again lean on the tandem of Boobie Dixon and Bryce Brown.  The two struggled to find running room in their last game against the Jets before the bye, averaging just 2.1 yards per carry between them.