Description: Bills receiver Stevie Johnson revealed Thursday that his previous back injury was a fracture, according to the Buffalo News.
Insight: Johnson missed some time during voluntary workouts this spring with what was believed to be a back strain. When the injury wasn't healing, he had an MRI and it revealed a slight fracture in his L-5 vertebra. The receiver also is dealing with a left ankle injury after twisting it during a workout following the back injury. Johnson has a tendency of getting banged up, but he hasn't missed any games over the last three seasons.
Description: The Bills cut ties with quarterback Tarvaris Jackson on Monday. SOURCE: Joe Buscaglia, WGR 550
Insight: Jackson hasn't taken an NFL snap since 2011. With Jackson out of the picture, Kevin Kolb and rookie E.J. Manuel will battle for the starting job in Buffalo.
Description: New Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone said Wednesday that running back C.J. Spiller will not be pulled from games in short-yardage, third-down or red-zone situations this season. SOURCE: Buffalo News
Insight: "My philosophy's always been if someone starts off and they're running well, keep feeding them the ball," Marrone said. The Bills still have veteran Fred Jackson on the roster, but their best chance at making the playoffs is by giving Spiller, who had 1,703 yards from scrimmage and averaged 6.0 yards per carry last season, as many carries as possible.
Description: According to BuffaloBills.com, Bills tight end Scott Chandler is expected to be ready for training camp despite tearing his ACL just five months ago.
Insight: Chandler tore the ligament in Week 16 last season. He was on the field following the team's OTA workout Thursday, running routes and catching passes. The 6-foot-7 tight end had 43 catches, 571 yards and six touchdowns last year.
Description: Bills No. 1 wideout Stevie Johnson has been cleared to participate in the team's OTAs. He has been struggling with a lingering back issue for a month.
Insight: Johnson has posted three consecutove seasons with 1,000 yards or more and averaged seven touchdowns per season. With new quarterbacks on the roster (Kevin Kolb, E.J. Manuel) it's important for Johnson and the receiving corp to get in as much work as possible.
Description: The Bills selected Florida State QB E.J. Manuel with the 16th pick in the first round Thursday night at the 2013 NFL Draft.
Insight: Manuel was the first quarterback selected. The Bills were expected to go with Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib at No. 16 so this choice comes as a bit of a shock. Manuel is known for his elite running ability and has already drawn comparisons to Michael Vick. He could have a chance to overtake Kevin Kolb for the starting quarterback position in Buffalo next season.
Description: Adam Caplan from PhiladelphiaEagles.com is reporting that Buffalo has agreed to a two-year contract with quarterback Kevin Kolb.
Insight: He'll earn $13 million over the next two seasons. Kolb was released by Arizona earlier in the month. He'll take over for Ryan Fitzpatrick under center.
Description: The Bills have released quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Insight: Buffalo will take a $10 million cap hit by cutting Fitzpatrick, but by using a post-June 1 designation they will be able to spread it over two years. Fitzpatrick got a huge contract extension from Buffalo after a hot start in 2011 but the Bills no longer had faith in him as a No. 1 QB. Look for the Bills to address their quarterback issues in the draft or free agency.
Description: Bills safety Jairus Byrd has been given the franchise tag. SOURCE: BuffaloBills.com
Insight: The tag is non-exclusive so this doesn't necessarily guarantee that Byrd will be back in Buffalo next season. The other 31 teams can still sign Byrd to an offer sheet, though Buffalo would be allowed to match any offer. We're guessing Byrd stays in Western New York after all is said and done.
Description: QB Tarvaris Jackson has agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million deal with Buffalo. SOURCE: buffalobills.com
Insight: Bills coach Doug Marrone says the starting job is up for grabs. If Jackson has a good training camp, he could conceivably be the team's Week 1 starter at quarterback. His main competition will be last year's starter Ryan Fitzpatrick (24 TD, 16 INT, 83.3 QB rating).
Description: According to BuffaloBills.com, Bills tight end Scott Chandler will have surgery to repair his torn ACL on Thursday.
Insight: Chandler's size (6-foot-7, 260 pounds) makes him a matchup nightmare in the red zone. He's probably looking at a 6-to-8 month recovery period.
Description: Bills running back Fred Jackson wants to come back to Buffalo even though he's aware that C.J. Spiller will likely be the starter and primary running back, according to a Tim Graham report at buffalonews.com.
Insight: Jackson suffered two major injuries that forced him out of games this season and he only saw 115 rushing attempts and 34 receptions. With Spiller producing big results (1,244 yards rushing, 459 yards receiving, 8 TDs), Jackson's future fantasy value in Buffalo is likely to be as a handcuff only.
Description: Bills wideout Stevie Johnson snagged six catches for 111 yards Sunday in a win over the Jets.
Insight: That gives Johnson 1,046 receiving yards for the season. He's the first Bills receiver in team history to rack up over 1,000 yards receiving in three straight seasons.
Description: Bills running back C.J. Spiller hit a brick wall on most of his runs Sunday against the Jets (just 2.5 yards per carry) but he was able to salvage the afternoon by hauling in a 66-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Insight: The touchdown was Spiller's eighth of the season (two receiving, six rushing). Spiller's 1,244 yards rushing in 2012 are a career-high. He's clearly the team's best option at halfback, regardless of Fred Jackson's health.
Description: Coach Chan Gailey said that Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick would play in the season finale.
Insight: The Bills could have looked at Tyler Thigpen or Tarvaris Jackson, but they obviously think their best chance to win the game is with Fitzpatrick. The news keeps Stevie Johnson as a No. 1 fantasy option.
Description: Buffalo halfback C.J. Spiller racked up 138 yards on the ground Sunday in a loss to Miami.
Insight: Registering 1,185 rushing yards while sharing the workload with Fred Jackson for most of the season is an impressive accomplishment. Spiller should be a top draft choice in fantasy leagues next season.
Description: Bills receiver Donald Jones will miss the final two games of the regular season after the team placed him on the reserve/non-football injury list. SOURCE: BuffaloNews.com
Insight: Jones said the issue is "not career-threatening at all" and that it's something he has been "dealing with for years." He didn't specify further but the Buffalo News reports that Jones said last year that he has a "minor kidney disorder" that caused him to go undrafted in 2010.
Description: Bills running back C.J. Spiller went over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career with 103 yards on 17 carries Sunday against the Seahawks.
Insight: Buffalo was routed but Spiller still reached the century mark for the fourth time this season. With Fred Jackson out for the year, Spiller finally has the lead role to himself.
Description: Buffalo wide receiver Stevie Johnson caught eight passes for a 115 yards (both season highs) and one touchdown Sunday against Seattle.
Insight: Johnson's big game puts him back on track for 1,000 yards. He's had six consecutive quality fantasy games and can be started as a WR3 in Week 16 at Miami.
Description: Bills receiver Donald Jones is questionable for Sunday's game against Miami with a calf injury after missing Week 15.
Insight: Jones hasn't done much of late and isn't a factor in most fantasy lineups. T.J. Graham has seen 15 targets over the past two games to rank second on the team behind Stevie Johnson.
Description: Bills' backup wide receiver T.J. Graham has been getting opportunities over the past two weeks, seeing a total of 15 targets which places him second on the team to Stevie Johnson.
Insight: Graham hasn't done much with the chances, having totaled 33 and 32 yards, respectively, in the two games, but that could improve if he continues to get the looks.
Description: Bills running back Fred Jackson is done for the season with a Grade II sprain of his MCL, coach Chan Gailey confirmed Monday. SOURCE: Buffalo Bills' official Twitter account.
Insight: Jackson won't need surgery, but he's still not going to be able to heal fast enough to come back this season. The ligament is still intact but it is torn off the bone. Jackson also suffered a sprained LCL in Week 1 and a concussion in the middle of the season and has been noticeably less explosive than teammate C.J. Spiller this season.
Description: With three games remaining, Bills running back Fred Jackson is likely done for the season with a Grade II sprain of his MCL. SOURCE: Josina Anderson, ESPN
Insight: Jackson won't need surgery, but he won't have enough time to recover from the injury. The ligament is still intact but it is torn off the bone. "They told me I would be out two to three weeks, but I think they might just put me on injured reserve so they can get somebody to come in and play," Jackson said. Jackson also suffered a sprained LCL in Week 1 and a concussion in the middle of the season and has been noticeably less explosive than teammate C.J. Spiller.
Description: Bills running back Fred Jackson will miss 2-3 weeks with a knee injury, coach Chan Gailey said. SOURCE: Buffalo Bills' official Twitter account
Insight: With three games remaining, Jackson could be shut down for the season. He was injured when he took a helmet to the right knee Sunday against the Rams. It's been a disastrous year for Jackson; he sprained his LCL in Week 1 and missed two games, missed another game due to a concussion and has rushed for a career-low 3.8 ypc while backfield mate C.J. Spiller has been explosive with 6.6 ypc.
Description: Buffalo wide receiver Stevie Johnson (hamstring) caught six of his eight targets for 71 yards Sunday against the Rams.
Insight: With an average of 59.7 yards per game, 61 receptions and five touchdowns, Johnson has had a mediocre season. Fantasy owners shouldn't expect much more as the season winds down.
Description: Bills running back C.J. Spiller only had 37 rushing yards on seven carries Sunday versus St. Louis.
Insight: Spiller saw less carries than Fred Jackson (9-7) but ran for more yards (37-14). Jackson also fumbled in the red zone and left the game with a leg injury.
Description: Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 247 yards with a 75.8 completion percentage but only had one touchdown Sunday against the Rams.
Insight: Fitzpatrick's one turnover came with less than a minute left in the fourth quarter. He's had one touchdown or less in six of his last nine games.
Description: Buffalo wide receiver Stevie Johnson (hamstring) is expected to play Sunday against the Rams. SOURCE: Jason La Canfora, CBSSports.com
Insight: Johnson is a middling wide receiver play this week, as he could be slowed by hamstring tightness. St. Louis has been underrated against wide receivers, allowing 18 fantasy points per game to the position in standard formats (ninth best in the NFL), and that number looks even better (15.6) when you remove the 44 points the Rams gave up to Green Bay WRs in Week 7.
Description: Buffalo wide receiver Stevie Johnson (hamstring) returned to practice Thursday and didn't suffer any setbacks during Friday's practice so he should be ready to go in Week 14.
Insight: Johnson should be fine to play but could be slowed by hamstring tightness against the Rams. He's a WR3 at best.
Description: Buffalo wide receiver Stevie Johnson suffered a hamstring injury Sunday in a 34-18 win over the Jaguars, but on Monday said he expects to play in Week 14, according to a Chris Brown report.
Insight: Johnson dealt with a groin injury all last season and it did have an effect on his fantasy totals, particularly when it came to the run after the catch. We will watch how he practices this week, but the injury certainly could limit him for the next few weeks.
Description: Buffalo wide receiver Stevie Johnson suffered a hamstring injury Sunday in a 34-18 win over the Jaguars.
Insight: He had two catches for 18 yards and a touchdown before exiting. None of the Buffalo receivers had much of an impact in this one as the Bills instead chose to run the ball down Jacksonville's throat with 46 rushing attempts.
Description: Bills receiver Donald Jones is inactive for Sunday's game against Jacksonville with a calf injury.
Insight: Jones has just 30 yards in receiving over the past two games and wasn't a factor in most fantasy lineups. Scott Chandler may see more targets as will Stevie Johnson.
Description: Bills coach Chan Gailey says C.J. Spiller will receive 60 percent of the carries going forward with Fred Jackson getting the other 40 percent. SOURCE: Tim Graham, Buffalo News.
Insight: Spiller is approaching his first 1,000 yard season having surpassed Jackson as the featured back in Buffalo. Unfortunately, he's encountered a bit of a touchdown drought. He hasn't scored in any of his last five games.
Description: Though C.J. Spiller had more touches than Fred Jackson Sunday, he actually played 29 snaps to Jackson's 32. Jackson was used more as a blocker after Spiller struggled in blitz pick-up on the first third down of the game. Bills coach Chan Gailey said that Spiller will continue to get the majority of the work. SOURCE: BuffaloBills.com
Insight: Spiller has racked up 1,162 total yards on 155 touches and is averaging an explosive 6.7 ypc. Jackson, meanwhile, has dealt with an ankle sprain and a concussion this season and has only rushed for 3.9 ypc in eight games. Spiller should be a top-10 RB option the rest of the season while Jackson should only be employed as a desperation flex play.
Description: Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has only thrown six touchdown passes over his last seven games after tossing 12 in the first four.
Insight: Fitzpatrick only had 180 yards with one score and one pick Sunday against the Colts, the fourth time in the last eight games he's finished with less than 200 yards passing.
Description: Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson reached 100 yards for the first time this season with 106 yards on six catches Sunday against Indianapolis.
Insight: Johnson saw 15 targets Sunday, which gives him 104 looks on the season. Unfortunately, he's only caught 51 percent of those targets. Johnson has only found the end zone once in the last eight games.
Description: Buffalo running back C.J. Spiller rushed for 107 yards on 14 carries while Fred Jackson toted the rock six times Sunday against the Colts.
Insight: It seems the explosive Spiller has emerged as the leader of this timeshare. He's up to 830 yards on 123 carries, a ridiculous 6.75 yards per carry. Jackson will probably be an iffy flex play the rest of the season while Spiller takes the reigns.
Description: Bills running back Fred Jackson (concussion) has been cleared to play in Sunday's game against the Colts, but C.J. Spiller will start.
Insight: Jackson missed Buffalo's game versus Miami Thursday night, just four days after suffering a concussion. When we last saw him play, he totaled 20 fantasy points. With Jackson out of the lineup, C.J. Spiller received a career-high 22 carries, but Jackson's return will limit both players' fantasy values.
Description: According to coach Chan Gailey, Bills running back Fred Jackson (concussion) is on track to return this week.
Insight: Jackson missed Buffalo's game versus Miami Thursday night, just four days after suffering a concussion. When we last saw him play, he totaled 20 fantasy points. With Jackson out of the lineup, C.J. Spiller received a career-high 22 carries.
Description: Bills running back Fred Jackson (concussion) did not practice on Monday, according to a report on buffalobills.com. Jackson has yet to be cleared to play.
Insight: Jackson missed Buffalo's game versus Miami Thursday night, just four days after suffering a concussion. When we last saw him play, he totaled 20 fantasy points. With Jackson out of the lineup, C.J. Spiller received a career-high 22 carries.
Description: Bills running back Fred Jackson (concussion) and defensive end Chris Kelsay are improving, according to coach Chan Gailey. "We hope to have them both next Wednesday for practice," Gailey said. "That is not set in concrete, but we hope to have both of them." SOURCE: BuffaloBills.com
Insight: Jackson missed Buffalo's game versus Miami Thursday night, just four days after suffering a concussion. C.J. Spiller ran the ball 22 times Thursday, his first 20-carry game this season, and would continue to be a top fantasy back if Jackson had to miss more time.
Description: Bills running back Fred Jackson has been diagnosed with a concussion and ruled out for Thursday's game against the Miami Dolphins.
Insight: Jackson began experiencing concussion-like symptoms on the plane ride home Sunday. C.J. Spiller becomes an immediate top-five RB option for Week 11.
Description: Bills receiver Donald Jones has been more active as of late, catching 16 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns in the last three games.
Insight: Jones had six receptions for the second straight game Sunday against New England with 74 yards and a touchdown. The receiver remains a risky desperation play but his value is certainly higher now than earlier in the year.
Description: Buffalo running back C.J. Spiller could be in for a much larger workload if Fred Jackson (head) is not ready to go Thursday night.
Insight: When Jackson missed time at the beginning of the season, Spiller thrived with the addition work, rushing for 169 yards and 123 yards, respectively, in games against the Jets and Chiefs.
Description: Bills running back Fred Jackson, who led the team in carries and rushing Sunday against the Patriots with 16 for 80 yards and two touchdowns, began exhibiting concussion-like symptoms on the plane ride back to Buffalo Sunday night, according to the Bills web site.
Insight: With a short practice week due to an upcoming Thursday game against Miami, his availability is in question.
Description: Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 337 yards Sunday against the Patriots, his first 300-yard game since Week 4, the last time Buffalo played New England.
Insight: Fitzpatrick tossed two touchdowns with one pick in the game. Buffalo's signal caller has 17 touchdowns and 10 picks in nine games. He's been an all-or-nothing player this season, posting six multi-touchdown games and three games with zero scores.
Description: Bills running back Fred Jackson led the team in carries and rushing Sunday against the Patriots with 16 for 80 yards and two touchdowns.
Insight: C.J. Spiller ran for 70 yards on nine carries and caught four balls for 61 yards. He's clearly the more explosive player of the two but his owners will have to deal with Jackson getting 5-10 more touches for the time being. Both players are worth starting as RB2s.
Description: Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson will be on the field Sunday against New England.
Insight: Johnson was limited in practice this week because of a bruised thigh. He caught two passes for 23 yards against the Patriots earlier in the year.
Description: Ignore the questionable label. Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson will be on the field Sunday against New England according to ESPN football insider John Clayton.
Insight: Johnson was limited in practice this week because of a bruised thigh. He caught two passes for 23 yards against the Patriots earlier in the year.
Description: Buffalo placed cornerback Terrence McGaee on the injured reserve. McGee had offseason patellar tendon surgery and had not played since Week 7.
Insight: The Bills will also be without cornerback Aaron Williams. Bad timing for Buffalo as they face Tom Brady and the Patriots this weekend.
Description: Bills coach Chan Gailey said receiver Stevie Johnson has "a bad thigh bruise."
Insight: "He played through it and it depends on how much it swells and how much of it drains into the lower part of his leg," Gailey said. "All of those kinds of things play into how he'll be for this week."
Description: Bills coach Chan Gailey expects injured left end Mario Williams to return to practice next week. Williams had minor wrist surgery on Tuesday.
Insight: The Bills are on bye this week and the hope is that he'll be able to play November 4th against Houston. Williams, who has been bothered by wrist issues all season, has 3.5 sacks in seven games.
Description: Bills' offensive lineman Chad Rinehart was carried off the field Sunday against the Titans with an ankle injury. "It's going to be long term," said coach Chan Gailey.
Insight: The best part of the Bills' offense is their running game behind Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller. This isn't good news for either running back as Rinehart was already a replacement for RG Kraig Urbik. Urbik (ankle) could be back around week 9.
Description: Bills running back Fred Jackson produced 120 all-purpose yards Sunday against the Titans.
Insight: Jackson carried the football nine times for 71 yards while grabbing eight passes for 49 yards and a touchdown. Jackson will never exceed 20 carries with C.J. Spiller in the mix but his knack for finding the end zone and his soft hands as a receiver make him a decent enough flex play most weeks.
Description: According to the Bills' official website, running back C.J. Spiller said he and Fred Jackson will continue to split time every two series. "It is kind of hard when you are out there for one series, you get into a flow and you come out," Spiller said. "We thought it would be best if we did two series so that is what we have done these last two games"
Insight: Spiller and Jackson should both be useful fantasy options going forward even though they limit each other's touches. If we had to pick one, we'd go with the more explosive Spiller but Jackson is also capable of delivering for fantasy owners on 10-15 touches.
Description: Buffalo's No. 1 wideout Stevie Johnson's 47.4 catch rate is worst in football among players with 50 or more targets, but he's improved in the past two weeks, catching 12-of-21 balls thrown his way.
Insight: Johnson snagged a touchdown pass in each of the first three weeks but he hasn't found the end zone in any of the last three. Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is clearly trying to get Johnson the ball; the two just haven't been on the same page much this season.
Description: Buffalo running back Fred Jackson played without the knee brace last Sunday, according to Chris Brown of buffalobills.com. Jackson rushed for 53 yards and a score on 16 carries and caught five balls for 30 yards.
Insight: Jackson isn't quite back to 100 percent, but he's getting close. The real problem for fantasy owners, however, is that C.J. Spiller (league-leading 7.6 ypc) is still a better runner.
Description: Buffalo coach Chan Gailey said that running backs Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller will continue to split carries this week against Arizona.
Insight: The combination of Jackson and Spiller has averaged just 57.5 yards per game for the Bills over the last two weeks. Don't expect either player to have much of an impact Sunday versus a stingy Cardinals' run defense.
Description: An MRI on Buffalo right end Mark Anderson's injured knee showed extensive damage. He's out indefinitely.
Insight: The injury doesn't look like it's season-ending, but Anderson is still expected to miss a good chunk of games. Anderson has one sack and 12 tackles in five games this season.
Description: Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick had his worst fantasy game of the season Sunday against the 49ers, throwing for just 126 yards and zero scores.
Insight: Fitzpatrick was picked once. The Bills QB came in having thrown 12 TDs in his first four games but the 49ers shut down the entire Buffalo offense.
Description: Bills running back Fred Jackson was the team's leading carrier Sunday against San Francisco but he didn't lead the team in rushing yards.
Insight: Neither did C.J. Spiller. Buffalo's leading rusher ended up being Brad Smith, with one carry for 35 yards. Jackson and Spiller combined for 53 yards on 16 carries.
Description: The NFL is investigating why Bills DE Mario Williams has not been listed on the team's injury report in any of the first four weeks despite complaining several times of a nagging wrist injury, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Insight: The Bills spent a lot of money to bring in Williams and Mark Anderson but it hasn't helped their defense. Buffalo is one of eight teams allowing more than 400 total yards per game and one of six allowing more than 30 points per game. Williams only has 1.5 sacks and nine total tackles in four games. The NFL's injury report policy says "significant or noteworthy injuries must be listed regardless. Even if the player takes all the reps in practice, and even if the team is certain that he will play in the upcoming game."
Description: Bills running back C.J. Spiller's (shoulder) return from injury Sunday against New England produced mixed results last week, but he's not even listed on the injury report for Week 5 and that's great news.
Insight: We're not sure what to expect from Spiller going forward now that he's sharing the backfield with Fred Jackson, but one thing is for sure, they will both struggle against the tough 49ers run defense.
Description: Bills tight end Scott Chandler (head) practiced fully Friday and is probable for Sunday.
Insight: Chandler has four TDs in four games, including two last week. He's one of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's favorite targets particularly in the red zone. The 49ers don't let teams run the ball so the Bills will likely have to go to the air to move it in Week 5.
Description: Bills tight end Scott Chandler (head) practiced fully Friday and is probable for Sunday.
Insight: Chandler has four TDs in four games, including two last week. He's one of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's favorite targets, especially in the red zone, but San Francisco's well-rounded linebackers may hold him in check in Week 5.
Description: Buffalo running back Fred Jackson (knee) said Wednesday he feels better than he did at this time last week. "Yes, I do," said Jackson according to BuffaloBills.com. "I think that's just the knee getting stronger and the treatment that they're doing is making it better. I definitely feel a lot better today than I did last week so hopefully that continues to increase and it gets better."
Insight: It sounds like Jackson isn't going to be hampered by the knee injury this week but that might not matter against San Francisco's dominant run defense. You might want to hold off on starting Jackson and C.J. Spiller (shoulder) until we see how this situation plays out.
Description: Bills tight end Scott Chandler was in the middle of a great game when he took a blow to the head from Patriots LB Brandon Spikes and went to the locker room. He's listed as questionable for Sunday's game against San Francisco.
Insight: Chandler turned out to be a matchup nightmare for New England on Sunday. The third year tight end came down with two touchdown catches while collecting a season-best 62 receiving yards in the 52-28 loss.
Description: Bills receiver Donald Jones left the Bills' Week 4 loss to the Patriots with a head injury and is questionable for Sunday's game against San Francisco. Before leaving Jones caught a 68-yard touchdown pass.
Insight: The Bills could certainly use his speed out there when the face the 49ers. With most teams focusing on Stevie Johnson, Jones and Scott Chandler have a chance to produce good fantasy numbers.
Description: Buffalo's No. 1 wideout Stevie Johnson leads the team in targets with 36, but he's only managed to catch 15 passes, a 41.7 percentage rate.
Insight: Johnson's low catch percentage has been hidden by the fact that he caught a touchdown in each of the Bills first three games. As a comparision, Donald Jones, the other starting receiver has caught 13-of-19 (68.4%). It says that he and Ryan Fitzpatrick aren't quite on the same page.
Description: Bills tight end Scott Chandler turned out to be a matchup nightmare for New England on Sunday. The third year tight end came down with two touchdown catches while collecting a season-best 62 receiving yards in the 52-28 loss.
Insight: Chandler was just devouring Pats cornerback Sterling Moore in the first half, snatching up a pair of impressive touchdown grabs in the second quarter. Things went south for the Bills after half time but Chandler's fantasy owners should still be satisfied with the 27-year-old's performance on Sunday.
Description: Buffalo running back Fred Jackson struggled in his return from a knee injury, collecting just 29 yards on 13 rushing attempts Sunday against the Patriots.
Insight: The Patriots went nuts for 45 points in the second half so the Bills were forced to throw the ball most of the fourth quarter, hence why Jackson's rushing numbers were a little subpar. Jackson also reeled in three catches for 50 receiving yards in the game, including a gorgeous 34-yard reception during the second quarter. His knee looks fine and he should be a consistent contributor going forward despite a mediocre showing in Week 4.
Description: Bills running back C.J. Spiller's return from injury Sunday against New England produced mixed results.
Insight: Spiller led the team in rushing with 33 yards on just eight carries but he committed a pivotal turnover by fumbling at the goal line near the end of the second quarter. The costly error changed the momentum dramatically as New England came back to win 52-28 behind a 45-point surge in the second half. We're not sure what to expect from Spiller going forward now that he's sharing the backfield with Fred Jackson (13 rushes, 29 yards) again.
Description: It was a day of high highs and very low lows for Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Though Ftizpatrick finished Sunday's game versus New England with four touchdowns and a season-best 350 passing yards, he also chucked up four interceptions and nearly lost a fumble.
Insight: Fantasy owners have come to expect this type of schizophrenic performance from Fitzpatrick, though even for him this was a pretty wild stat line. If there's a silver lining here it's that Fitz leads the NFL in touchdowns with 12 scores in four games. At that pace, he'll finish the year with 48 touchdown throws, a feat only two quarterbacks have ever accomplished.
Description: ESPN reports Buffalo tailback C.J. Spiller will be active for Sunday's game versus the Patriots. Spiller had been listed as questionable with an injured left shoulder.
Insight: This is a tough one. Fred Jackson is playing too, so we'd probably expect something close to a 50/50 split in terms of the rushing workload, with the bigger, more physical Jackson likely to get most of the carries near the goal line.
Description: No official word has come yet from the Bills but Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports was told by C.J. Spiller's teammates that the team expects Spiller to be available for Sunday's division matchup versus New England. Spiller has been listed as questionable all week after injuring his shoulder in Week 3's game against Cleveland.
Insight: If Spiller does play, we'd expect his impact to be limited with Fred Jackson back in the mix. Spiller should be a better play next week when his shoulder is closer to 100 percent, though admittedly, that won't be an easy matchup either against one of the league's better run-stoppers in San Francisco.
Description: Multiple sources have confirmed that Bills running back Fred Jackson will play Sunday versus the Patriots. Jackson has been out since spraining his LCL midway through Week 1's loss to the Jets.
Insight: Jackson's return makes for a very interesting situation in the backfield as C.J. Spiller performed extremely well in his absence, though he too has been hampered by injuries. Tashard Choice contributed a solid effort in Week 3 also. You may want to wait a week or two to let this situation play out before moving forward with either of these backs in fantasy.
Description: James Walker of ESPN reports that injured Bills running back C.J. Spiller will be a game-time decision for Sunday's 1 p.m. start against the Patriots. Spiller missed most of Week 3's game versus the Browns after hurting his left shoulder.
Insight: Spiller was considered a long shot to play earlier this week so it's a bit miraculous that he has recovered to the point where he can be considered a game-time call. Fred Jackson is expected to return this week after a two-week absence and Tashard Choice is ready to go as well if Jackson and Spiller are both unable to contribute.
Description: Buffalo coach Chan Gailey said running back Fred Jackson (knee) will play in Week 4, barring a setback, according to BuffaloNews.com.
Insight: Jackson practiced Thursday for the second straight day. It's always difficult to determine how large of a role an injured player will play upon returning to the lineup, but this situation is an especially tough call since C.J. Spiller still hasn't been ruled out. Only play Jackson this week if you have no other options.
Description: Buffalo halfback C.J. Spiller was back on the practice field Thursday just four days after injuring his shoulder in a win over the Browns.
Insight: The team website referred to Spiller as a "long shot" to play on Sunday but you never know. He could be a game-time decision for Sunday's contest against New England depending on how his shoulder feels after practice today and tomorrow.
Description: Buffalo halfback Fred Jackson wasn't thrilled with how his practice went on Wednesday. Jackson is still recovering from a sprained LCL in his right knee.
SOURCE: Buffalo News
Insight: We're not ready to call this a setback but it doesn't sound great either. Jackson definitely isn't out of the woods yet with this injury. Consider him questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Patriots.
Description: Bills running back Fred Jackson (sprained LCL) will practice on Wednesday.
Insight: Great news for fantasy owners. Jackson's replacement, C.J. Spiller, led the league in rushing through two weeks, but injured his shoulder against Cleveland and is doubtful for Week 4. That gives Jackson a big chance to regain his role as feature back.
Description: Bills running back C.J. Spiller (shoulder) may practice later in the week, according to coach Chan Gailey.
Insight: Spiller has not been ruled out for Week 4 but he's unlikely to play. Week 5 is a more realistic target. In a related note Fred Jackson (knee) will practice on Wednesday.
Description: Bills running back Fred Jackson (sprained LCL) said on a Monday night radio show that "Unless something completely unexpected happens, I will be ready to go Sunday."
Insight: Great news for fantasy owners. Jackson's replacement, C.J. Spiller, led the league in rushing through two weeks, but injured his shoulder against Cleveland and is doubtful for Week 4. That gives Jackson a big chance to regain his role as feature back.
Description: Bills running back Fred Jackson (knee) said he's 70-75 percent likely to return this week, according to the team's official Twitter account. Jackson suffered a sprained LCL in Week 1 against the Jets.
Insight: Jackson's replacement, C.J. Spiller, led the league in rushing through two weeks, but injured his shoulder on Sunday and is doubtful for Week 4. That gives Jackson a big chance to regain his role as feature back on the team if he can return this week.
Description: According to Bills coach Chan Gailey, running back Fred Jackson will practice this week.
Insight: Jackson suffered a sprained LCL in Week 1 against the Jets. His replacement, C.J. Spiller, led the league in rushing through two weeks, but injured his shoulder on Sunday, so if Jackson were ready this week it would be a hige boost to the Bills prospects. Tashard Choice led the Bills in rushing after Spiller's injury with 91 yards on 20 carries.
Description: Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick racked up three more touchdown throws Sunday in a 24-14 win over the Browns.
Insight: That gives Fitzpatrick eight touchdowns for the year, which leads the NFL. What fantasy owners have to be most pleased about is that Fitzpatrick hasn't thrown an interception in either of his last two games after chucking up three freebies in a loss to the Jets back in Week 1.
Description: Buffalo halfback Tashard Choice carried the ball 20 times for 91 yards Sunday in a win over Cleveland.
Insight: Choice took over for C.J. Spiller after he went down with an injured shoulder early in the first half. Fred Jackson should be coming back soon so Choice's fantasy shelf life probably won't last more than a couple of weeks.
Description: Injured Bills halfback C.J. Spiller will not return to Sunday's game against the Browns according to the team's official Twitter page. He left in the first quarter after sustaining a shoulder injury.
Insight: Tashard Choice will be in charge of the running game with Spiller sidelined. It will be interesting to see if Buffalo opts to air the ball out more without their top running threat in the lineup.
Description: Buffalo running back C.J. Spiller is headed to the locker room after injuring his shoulder Sunday against Cleveland.
Insight: Spiller scored a 32-yard receiving touchdown before exiting the game. If Spiller is unable to return, Tashard Choice should see most of the carries at halfback for Buffalo.
Description: Bills running back Fred Jackson said on a Monday television appearance that his "lateral collateral ligament will not require surgery."
Insight: Jackson suffered a sprained LCL in Week 1 against the Jets. His replacement, C.J. Spiller, leads the league in rushing and may be hard to get out of the lineup when Jackson is finally ready to play. This could end up being a shared situation in three or four weeks.
Description: Bills tailback C.J. Spiller steamrolled over the Chiefs in a 35-17 win on Sunday. He finished the game with 123 rushing yards and another 47 yards receiving.
Insight: Spiller looks like the steal of the fantasy draft so far. Through two games, the former Clemson standout has three rushing touchdowns and 292 yards on the ground. That's an average of 146 yards per contest. He's a must-start until Fred Jackson returns from an injured knee.
Description: Bills receiver Donald Jones should be in line for more targets with David Nelson out for the season with a torn ACL.
Insight: Jones caught five passes for 41 yards and a score in Week 1 against the Jets, and WGR 550 Buffalo said that Bills coach Chan Gailey said Jones is a candidate to take snaps from the slot with Nelson out. Buffalo plays a lot of spread receiver sets, meaning Jones should be on the field most of the time regardless of where he lines up.
Description: Buffalo starting DT Marcell Dareus may not be available for the Bills in their Week 2 matchup with Kansas City due to a death in the family.
Insight: Dareus had 5.5 sacks in 2011 along with 32 tackles and 11 assists and would be missed against a Chiefs team that likes to run the ball.
Description: The MRI on Bills running back Fred Jackson's knee did not provide an exact timetable for return, but coach Chan Gailey put the timetable between three and eight weeks. "It's not going to be three, but I don't think it's going to be eight, but it's probably somewhere in there in between."
Insight: Jackson suffered a sprained LCL Sunday against the Jets. C.J. Spiller played well after Jackson's injury and if that production continues the team would likely take a conservative approach to the injury.
Description: Bills running back Tashard Choice should move into the backup role for the next few weeks while Fred Jackson is sidelined with a knee injury.
Insight: Choice, at 210 lbs, is bigger than C.J. Spiller and could end up being the team's goal line option which would significantly increase his fantasy value.
Description: Buffalo running back C.J. Spiller will be the focal point of the Bills running game for the next few weeks at least while starter Fred Jackson (sprained LCL) is on the mend.
Insight: Spiller exploded for 169 yards rushing and a touchdown on 14 carries against the Patriots. Tashard Choice will be his back up.
Description: Bills receiver David Nelson is done for the year with a torn ACL, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Insight: It means more targets for Donald Jones and rookie T.J. Graham, but you don't want to be starting any Bills receiver besides Stevie Johnson right now.
Description: The MRI on Bills halfback Fred Jackson's knee did not provide an exact timetable for return, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. La Canfora projects the best case scenario to be a return in four weeks.
Insight: Jackson suffered a sprained LCL Sunday against the Jets. La Canfora said the injury will be monitored over the next 7-10 days. C.J. Spiller played so well Sunday that Jackson may find himself in a complete timeshare when he returns.
Description: Bills wideout David Nelson, who injured his knee Sunday against the Jets, is scheduled for an MRI on Monday morning.
Insight: "Fred (Jackson) doesn't look as bad as David (Nelson)," said coach Chan Gailey "We don't know how bad David is but it doesn't look good right now. Fred doesn't look nearly as bad, but we are going to get a further evaluation tomorrow."
Description: Bills running back C.J. Spiller proved to be a valuable handcuff for Fred Jackson owners in Week 1. Spiller exploded for 169 yards rushing and a touchdown on 14 carries.
Insight: Jackson sprained his LCL, leaving Spiller as the primary ballcarrier. In the final five games of 2011-12, Spiller rushed for 391 yards and five touchdowns, so he'll make for a solid RB2 with RB1 upside with Jackson out again.
Description: Bills wideout David Nelson injured his knee Sunday against the Jets and will be out for the remainder of the game.
Insight: What a miserable day for Buffalo. First they lose starting running back Fred Jackson and now they'll be without one of their better wide receivers. Nelson had two catches for 31 yards before getting injured.
Description: Buffalo running back Fred Jackson will not return to Sunday's game versus the Jets after injuring his knee in the second quarter.
Insight: Those of you who went ahead and started C.J. Spiller have been rewarded so far. He ran for a 56-yard touchdown soon after replacing Jackson and looks to be the team's featured back for at least the rest of this game.
Description: Robert Flores announced on ESPN that Stevie Johnson will play Sunday against the Jets. Johnson had been listed as "questionable" because of an injured groin.
Insight: Johnson's injury and the fact that he'll be squaring off against stud cornerback Darrelle Revis make him a risky play in Week 1.
Description: Buffalo receiver Stevie Johnson returned to practice on Friday. He missed practice on Thursday while tending to an injured groin.
Insight: Johnson is listed on the injury report as "questionable" but we'd be shocked if he's not on the field Sunday versus the Jets. Still, you'd be wise not to start him this week. Johnson will be going up against star cornerback Darrelle Revis.
Description: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson (groin) sat out practice Thursday, according to the Bills' official website. Johnson said his current issue isn't related to his offseason surgery, and doesn't believe it will become a nagging weekly problem like it was last season.
Insight: Buffalo's plan is to have Johnson practice Friday with his teammates. The receiver took a hard fall in practice Wednesday when he momentum on a fade route carried him onto a rubberized track surface. He continued practicing but he pulled up lame on a later play.
Description: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson (groin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, according to the Bills' official website.
Insight: Johnson said his groin is "90 something percent" healthy, but said "no one is really 100 percent unless you haven't been playing at all." The receiver didn't appear to be restricted when he ran routes during the media viewing portion of practice.
Description: Backup quarterback Vince Young was cut from the Bills on Monday.
Insight: Young became expendable after Buffalo acquired Tarvaris Jackson from the Seahawks on Sunday. In three preseason games Young struggled to an abysmal 48.2 quarterback rating. The former Titans star is a longshot to return to fantasy relevance any time soon.
Description: Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has been traded to the Bills. The Seahawks will pick up a late-round draft pick as compensation.
Insight: Jackson will open the 2012 campaign as Ryan Fitzpatrick's backup. We're not expecting him to see the field much so don't count on Jackson to be a factor in fantasy this season.
Description: According to Jay Glazer, the Bills are going to release DE/LB Shawne Merriman.
Insight: Merriman produced double-digit sacks for the San Diego Chargers in four of six seasons, but it appears that injuries have taken its toll on the Bills defensive end. He played just three games in 2012 and five games last season. Merriman had offseason Achilles and shoulder surgeries in an attemnpt to get back on the field, but it isn't going to be with Buffalo.
Description: According to Bills beat writer Joe Buscaglia, Bills tight end Scott Chandler has "roped everything in and become one of Ryan Fitzpatrick's favorite two targets" in training camp.
Insight: Chandler scored six touchdowns last season, but two came when he was uncovered in the end zone. Still, the 6-foot-7 Chandler isn't being drafted in the top 19 players at his position on fantasyfootballcalculator.com, so he may prove to be a major bargain as a TE2 or bye-week fill-in.
Description: According to BuffaloBills.com, Bills coach Chan Gailey said Donald Jones is still leading the No. 2 wide receiver battle.
Insight: Even though the Bills throw the ball fairly often and have a competent QB under center, Jones won't have much fantasy value opposite Stevie Johnson, especially once David Nelson returns, since the team runs a lot of spread receiver sets.
Description: The Buffalo Bills passed on all 16 offensive plays in the first quarter with starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick going 6-for-14 for 61 yards.
Insight: We don't believe for an instant that the Bills have become a pass-first offense, but its still encouraging news for Stevie Johnson, Donald Jones and Scott Chandler owners. When the season begins, Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller will get their fair share of opportunities.
Description: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson, who had offseason groin surgery, came out of the first game without any problems.
Insight: Johnson didn't catch a pass in the Bills first exhibition game (he had a 20-yard touchdown pass called back due to a penalty), but its more important that he came out healthy. This is a green light for fantasy owners to selection Johnson (ADP 64).
Description: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson, who had offseason groin surgery, missed Saturday's practice with a sore groin, reported Chris Brown of buffalobills.com. The team said it was just precautionary.
Insight: This is concerning because Johnson was definitely limited last season by the injury and big things are expected of him this year. He's been going in the late fifth or early sixth round (ADP 63).
Description: Buffalo backup quarterbacks Tyler Thigpen and Vince Young have both been "inconsistent" and neither has distanced themselves to grab the No.2 role behind Ryan Fitzpatrick, said Bills coach Chan Gailey.
Insight: Barring injury, neither Thigpen or Young have much fantasy value.
Description: The Bills have listed Donald Jones as the No. 2 receiver at the start of training camp, according to BuffaloNews.com.
Insight: Jones only played eight games last season, catching 23 passes for 231 yards and one score. Though the receiver has some upside in Bills coach Chan Gailey's spread offense, he shouldn't get enough targets to warrant fantasy ownership with Stevie Johnson, Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller on the roster.
Description: Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson averaged just 4.5 yards after the catch - 40th in the league among wideouts last season. "That's the one thing that I was focused on this offseason when I looked at the stats," Johnson told Buffalobills.com.
Insight: Johnson averaged 13.2 ypc on 76 receptions in 2012 despite playing most of the season with a groin injury that limited his speed. That number should rise this season.
Description: According to the Bills official website, Buffalo coach Chan Gailey is hoping Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller can focus on "team success, not personal workload."
Insight: Sounds like Jackson and Spiller will split carries next season, though the undrafted 31-year-old running back has a history of outplaying former first-round picks -- Marshawn Lynch, Spiller -- so we won't count him out.
Description: Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson (groin surgery) participated in team drills Tuesday.
Insight: Johnson was unable to participate in OTAs and was expected to miss minicamp as well, but he's been well ahead of schedule in his recovery from groin surgery. While he'll be eased back into Buffalo's workouts, expect the wide receiver to be ready to go for the start of the regular season.
