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Fred Jackson Injury: Updates on Bills Star's Groin and Return
October 19, 2014
Updates from Monday, Nov. 24
Fred Jackson is officially active tonight against the Jets confirms the Buffalo Bills Media Relations Department:
Updates from Saturday, Nov. 22
ESPN's Mike Rodak has an update on Fred Jackson's status:
Updates from Monday, Nov. 17
Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com provides a statement from Fred Jackson discussing his recovery on WGR Sportsradio 550:
Yeah. We’ll work myself into the process of getting back out there. I know with our training staff and doctors they’ll take every precaution we need to, but like coach Marrone said, if the game was yesterday there’s probably a pretty good chance that I would’ve played. So I’m planning on playing this Sunday and it’s just on me to go out there and take this week slowly and get back out there.
Jackson also discussed a setback that prevented him from playing in previous games, “The plan was to play both games, but on Tuesday at practice I had a little setback that wasn’t anticipated. Out at practice running around making a play and kind of tweaked it and it was setback that wasn’t foreseen.”
Joe Buscaglia of WGR also passed along comments from Doug Marrone on Jackson's status:
Updates from Thursday, Nov. 13
Fred Jackson's status for Thursday night against the Miami Dolphins has been confirmed by Alex Marvez of Fox Sports:
Tim Graham of the Buffalo News previously had provided an update on Jackson's status for Thursday's game earlier in the day:
Albert Breer of NFL.com has an update on Jackson's status for Week 11:
Updates from Sunday, Nov. 9
The Bills confirm Fred Jackson is active for Week 10:
Updates from Friday, Nov. 7
Doug Marrone talked about Fred Jackson's status for Sunday on WGR 550, according to Chris Brown of Bills.com:
“He’s progressing. He’s not 100 percent yet,” said Marrone. “So we’ll see how it goes the next couple of days. We haven’t made a decision either way.”
Marrone said more on Jackson's status, according to ESPN's Mike Rodak:
Matthew Fairburn of Syracuse.com has the latest on Jackson:
Updates from Thursday, Nov. 6
Coach Doug Marrone discussed Fred Jackson's status for Week 10 via Joe Buscaglia of WGR 550 in Buffalo:
Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News had an update on Jackson from practice:
Updates from Wednesday, Nov. 5
Matthew Fairburn of Syracuse.com reported on Fred Jackson from Bills practice:
The Bills later shared a Vine of Jackson working at practice:
Updates from Monday, Nov. 3
Jeff Russo, Sports Director of WKBW, confirms Fred Jackson's status for today's practice:
Jackson later spoke about his health and eventual return, via Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com:
'I’m trying to get out there and play as soon as possible,' Jackson said. 'It’s going to come down to what the doctors tell me. If I’m out there and moving around and I’m not effective then it’s pointless for me to be out there. But as far as I’m concerned I’m trying to get back as soon as possible. But like I said our doctors ultimately control when it is that I get back out there and see the field.'
(...)
'I think one of the things we’ve got is a great training staff and great doctors,”'Jackson said. 'If it’s possible, it’s possible. If they think I can go out there and do it then it doesn’t matter what week it is or what day. We’ll see what they say. I’ll continue to come in here and keep working. Once they give me that green light I’ll go, whenever it is.'
Updates from Sunday, Oct. 26
Fred Jackson was ruled inactive for Sunday's matchup vs. the Jets, the team confirmed:
Updates from Monday, Oct. 20
WGR's 550's Howard Simon provides a synopsis of Fred Jackson discussing his injury and recovery:
Original Text
Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson has defied Father Time unlike any other player, but even he isn't immune to the rigors of the NFL season.
The Buffalo Bills announce the 33-year-old veteran suffered a groin injury in Week 7 against the Minnesota Vikings:
After the Bills' thrilling win, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports provided an update on Jackson:
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network has a different outlook for the amount of time Jackson will miss:
Despite the presence of other skilled running backs such as C.J. Spiller, Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown on Buffalo's roster, Jackson has continued to establish himself as the go-to guy due to his hard running, great hands and superb pass blocking.
The Coe College product has topped 1,100 total yards in four of the past five seasons, and he has developed into both a leader and a fan favorite due to his nonstop effort and passion.
Despite his contributions since 2007, Jackson often flies under the radar. Part of that likely has to do with the fact that he plays for a Bills franchise that hasn't made the playoffs since 1999. Also, Jackson isn't type of player who seeks out individual accolades.
With that in mind, NFL Network's Albert Breer doesn't believe that the former United Indoor Football MVP receives the credit he deserves:
Despite Jackson's unassuming nature, opposing teams are very much aware of what he brings to the table. Over the course of his career, Jackson has more rushing yardage (727) and rushing touchdowns (five) against the New England Patriots than any other team.
Nose tackle Vince Wilfork is often tasked with trying to slow Jackson down when the Pats meet the Bills, and he has seen how dangerous No. 22 can be firsthand, according to Shalise Manza Young of The Boston Globe.
"He's the real deal. I remember when he was a backup, we used to talk all the time about how hard he runs and what a good back he is," Wilfork said. "He finally got his chance and he's making every bit of it count. He's a tough back."
Jackson even manages to fly under the radar from a fantasy football perspective as well. Fantasy owners rarely have to spend a high pick on him, but he is an extremely consistent producer, especially in the passing game, per Matthew Fairburn of Syracuse.com:
Another great asset that Jackson brings to the table is his durability. He hasn't avoided injury completely, but he has played all 16 games in four of the past six seasons. He also seems to play through nagging ailments quite often, which is the mark of a true leader.
Despite spraining his ankle against the Detroit Lions in Week 5, Jackson played the following week and downplayed the injury as well, according to ESPN.com's Mike Rodak:
Perhaps Jackson will manage to shake off his latest injury as well, but it is entirely possible that he will be forced to miss some time. That isn't ideal for the Bills, but they luckily have plenty of other backs who can step up.
Chief among them is Spiller, who rushed for over 1,200 yards and averaged six yards per carry just two seasons ago. The 2014 season hasn't been particularly kind to him, but he has proven capable of being a lead back in the past.
Aside from Spiller, Dixon is a back who can excel in short-yardage situation. Also, Brown hasn't been utilized much, but he is a speed burner who can keep defenses honest if called upon. If the Bills use a committee approach should Jackson miss time, then they could reasonably replace his production.
What can't be replaced, though, are the intangibles that make Jackson such a tough player to play against. Without that, the Bills may struggle to find offensive success.
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