Orchard Park, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills rookie quarterback Josh Allen has proven that he can run this season.
He leads the Bills (4-9) in rushing yards with 490 yards and five touchdowns, and his highlight reel is powered by jaw-dropping plays once he tucks the ball and takes off.
We know Allen can run but now the rookie has to show that he can be smarter with his body. He set a franchise record with 135 yards rushing last week against the New York Jets, but he took a pounding.
Quarterbacks running often and racking up the hits is not a recipe for longevity in this league, and Allen knows it.
“I got to start limiting the hits I take on myself, just being smart in that aspect myself,” Allen said after last week’s 27-23 loss against the Jets.
Allen and the Bills host the Detroit Lions (5-8) and quarterback Matthew Stafford in a game with nothing more on the line than a chance for coaches to evaluate players.
The Bills offense is littered with young players at receiver and on the offensive line that could get a number of important reps in the game. Receiver Isaiah McKenzie has found a home in Brian Daboll’s offense since coming over the Buffalo from Denver a month ago. His play has kept Ray Ray McCloud on the bench. Robert Foster had his second 100-yard game of the season last week and Zay Jones scored two touchdowns against Miami in Week 13.
Bills running back LeSean McCoy suffered a hamstring injury last week and is questionable to play this week after being limited in practice. Buffalo signed Keith Ford off the practice squad and he could see time along with Marcus Murphy and Chris Ivory.
Bills rising star linebacker Matt Milano will miss the rest of the season after suffering a broken fibula and cornerback Taron Johnson had shoulder surgery last week and will also be out. Bills coach Sean McDermott said that both Deon Lacey and Julian Stanford could get time on the outside to replace Milano.
