Oct 26, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ; Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) runs after a catch against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs could catch the Buffalo Bills at less than 100 percent on offense when the two teams meet Sunday at Orchard Park.
Standout rookie wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who leads the Bills with 590 yards receiving and five touchdowns on 38 receptions, suffered a groin injury during Wednesday’s practice.
“He didn’t finish practice,” Bills coach Doug Marrone told Bills reporters Wednesday, “so I don’t know where he’s going to be tomorrow (Thursday). I don’t know where he’s going to be. I don’t know. I really don’t.”
The Bills officially list Watkins as a limited participant on the injury report, but the Chiefs know they have a handful to deal with if the fourth overall pick of the 2014 NFL Drafts suits up.
“That’s a good football player and there’s a reason why he was drafted as high as he was and he’s producing,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Wednesday. “They’re one of the top long-ball teams in the National Football League and that’s a great challenge for our secondary that way.”
Watkins isn’t the only key player battling an injury.
The Bills currently list two additional wide receivers as limited participants during Wednesday’s practice: Marcus Easley (knee) and Marquise Goodwin (hamstring).
Buffalo’s offense has become pass-oriented in recent games based on injuries to running backs C.J. Spiller (collarbone) and Fred Jackson (groin).
And an unhealthy receiving corps isn’t an ingredient for success against the NFL’s No.1 pass defense.
Jackson practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday, but a decision on his availability depends on Buffalo’s medical staff.
“We will see how it goes,” Jackson told Bills reporters Wednesday. “The doctors are still being doctors and being cautious, so we have to see how things go throughout the week.”
The Bills have running backs Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown available.
