C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson practicing

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Buffalo Bills star running back C.J. Spiller injured his shoulder against the Cleveland Browns this past week, and he was initially expected to be out for one or two weeks. However, he has returned (per Joe Buscaglia) to practice today along with fellow star RB Fred Jackson, who started practicing yesterday.

This is great news for the Bills, and they could potentially have both punches their top duo ready to face off against the New England Patriots vaunted run defense in Week 4. Spiller’s injury was viewed as not being as serious as first thought, and the fact that he has returned to practice fully sets in the good news for Buffalo.

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Jackson, on the other hand, could make an incredible return from an LCL tear that was expected to cost him 3-8 weeks and turn a likely six-week injury into a two-week one by facing the Pats. He’s on track for a return, and both Jackson and Spiller have displayed toughness (we’ve always known Jackson is tough, in addition to always bring his best against the Pats).

Considered a “long shot”  to play by the official site, Spiller is still likely a game-time decision. Some people are saying that he has less of a chance of playing than Jackson, but the severity of his injury is less despite it being more recent. The updates on both backs are constant at this point, and Jackson has still been dealing with swelling and soreness. Even so, he feels like he can play and called his knee “a little sore, a little swollen” (probably more than that, knowing how tough he is).

He told WGR 550,  “We’ll go out and see what today happens, see what happens, see how I feel on it. I haven’t moved around on it yet. I don’t know if it’s gonna be any worse or if it’s gonna be any better. But, it was a little more sore than expected, but not too much.”

“In my mind I play. But like I said, it’s not always just totally up to me. I feel like I can play right now.”

At this point, it does seem like Jackson has the better shot at playing in Week 4.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.