By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
At full health, the Buffalo Bills will still be a certain underdog against the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football.
Still, it’d be a positive if running back LeSean McCoy can play for the Bills (2-5). On Thursday, McCoy, who suffered a concussion on the second play of Week 7’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts, practiced in a limited capacity.
Typically with the NFL’s concussion protocol, a player will go through a series of tests and a practice or two as a limited participant in order to be cleared out of the protocol. Essentially, a limited practice or two is apart of the protocol’s protocol.
Adding to that positive news was an early Friday report from NFL Network. Per Ian Rapoport, there is “optimism” within the Bills organization that McCoy will play on Monday against the Patriots (5-2).
“The word is (McCoy) feels good and there is some optimism that he’ll play for the Buffalo Bills. At the very least, it seems, (the Bills) will be full strength against the Patriots on Monday Night,” Rapoport said.
Within the report, NFL Network also updated the status of two offensive players for the Patriots. Tight end Rob Gronkowski has taken positive steps with his back injury, as has running Sony Michel in his knee injury. However, only Gronkowski is likely to play against the Bills.