What's Up With The Injury Bug For The Buffalo Bills?

Is it in the water? Is it the training staff's fault? Maybe it's a long-standing curse.

But something has to give when it comes to injuries to the Buffalo Bills.

Running backs Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch each went down with injuries in a pre-season loss to the Washington Redskins. Buffalo's top-two backs are most likely out for the remainder of the exhibition slate.

These two are definitely the core of the offense and to lose them for any period of time is downright cruel.

But why does it seem like the Bills have more horrific, season-ending injuries than most other teams? Injuries are going to happen....but at such an alarming rate?

I liked former Coach Dick Jauron's laid back pre-season and not use the pads much to avoid injuries.

Now, new head coach Chan Gailey came in and had Buffalo in pads just about every day, poo-pooing the injury concerns. Was he trying to change fate?

Well, holding out three starting offensive linemen on Friday night with slight injuries seemed like the right thing to do.  

Fortunately, Jackson's and Lynch's injuries had nothing to do with an inexperienced line. The injuries occurred on rather normal plays. No vicious hits or cheap shot.

I guess it's better that Jackson hurt his left hand and not his right. He'll be able to carry the ball and actually stay in pretty good shape since his legs are still working.

Lynch is another issue. He has a high ankle sprain and those tend to linger and last longer than usually anticipated. He suffered the same fate last year.

So what are the answers to the injuries? None of the Buffalo injuries in the past years have been due to conditioning. They aren't the muscle strain, pulled groin type. They are broken bones, dislocations, etc...nothing that can be attributed to conditioning.

And I was just thinking if the NFL decides to go to an 18-game season in the near future. You figure Jackson and Lynch would probably miss at least three regular season games if that was the case now.

Fortunately, the Bills have rookie running back C.J. Spiller who looks to be the featured back the remainder of the pre-season. But how much can or do you play him? Do you worry about the injury problem since he isn't a "big" back by NFL standards or let him play, get the much needed reps in the exhibition games so he'll be ready as he possibly can be for the season opener.

A question I am sure Gailey and company are thinking long and hard about.