Fred Jackson
RB FA
Tue 6/23/15 3:14 PM13 Comments

Jackson said he expects he'll have to compete for a roster spot, the Bills' official website reports. "We'll see what happens with me getting cut or not," Jackson said. "I'll go out and do whatever I can to make sure that doesn't happen. We've got to compete every year. This year is no different than any other year. I've got to go out and compete for my job." The Bills can save approximately $2.5 million by releasing Jackson, who may face competition from Karlos Williams, Bryce Brown and Anthony Dixon for a roster spot. Jackson's comments aren't necessarily off base, but he was a solid contributor last season, and is one of the more popular players in the organization. Even with C.J. Spiller swapped out for the more durable LeSean McCoy, the Bills can probably find a way to make use of Jackson's diverse skill set.

Fred Jackson
RB FA
Tue 6/2/15 12:08 PM4 Comments

Jackson expects LeSean McCoy to get 300 carries and is thus uncertain about his own role in the offense, WGR 550 reports. "I don't know exactly what my role is going to be," Jackson said. "They say that they want Shady (McCoy) to get 300-plus carries next year. So that's a guy you're feeding the ball all the time. So I''ll be ready when my number is called." Bills running backs coach Anthony Lynn said he'd like to see Jackson's workload cut roughly in half, after the veteran had 141 carries and 66 receptions on 548 snaps last season. McCoy is clearly expected to get most of the carries, but it's possible Jackson could still handle most of the third-down work. McCoy was once among the league's most prolific receivers at his position, but he caught 28-of-37 targets for just 155 yards and no touchdowns for the Eagles last season.

Fred Jackson
RB FA
Wed 5/20/15 11:37 AM

Bills running back coach Anthony Lynn said he'd like to see Jackson's workload cut roughly in half this season, The Buffalo News reports. Said Lynn, "I think he wore down a little bit at the end of the season. If we could take half of that off his plate, I think you're going to see a fresher Fred Jackson and a more explosive Fred Jackson." Jackson had 548 snaps last season, much of that due to the C.J. Spiller injury. He also averaged a career-low 3.72 yards per carry. But with Jackson being 34 this season and with LeSean McCoy prepared to be the feature back, he's not going to be nearly as big in the offense unless McCoy gets hurt. Right now it sounds like the Bills see Jackson as a versatile veteran and possible third-down back.

Fred Jackson
RB FA
Mon 4/6/15 5:40 PM5 Comments

Jackson has not yet been cleared for participation in the Bills' voluntary offseason conditioning program because he is among the team's players who is bouncing back from an unspecified offseason procedure, the team's official site reports. Coach Rex Ryan relayed Monday that the same applies to Dan Carpenter, Anthony Dixon, Stephon Gilmore, Chris Gragg, Chris Hogan, Leodis McKelvin, Sammy Watkins, Aaron Williams, and Chris Williams, though he suggested that they will all be "ready to roll at training camp." Jackson, who turned 34 in February, is in line this coming season to compete with the likes of Bryce Brown and Dixon for work behind the team's new top back, LeSean McCoy.

Fred Jackson
RB FA
Tue 3/10/15 5:37 PM2 Comments

Following the latest offseason activity, Jackson remains with the Bills amid reports that he's been told the team plans to have him in the mix for next season. There were also reports the Bills wanted the Jets' Bilal Powell. That may have spelled the end of Jackson's time with Buffalo, but Powell re-signed with New York while C.J. Spiller will sign elsewhere. That means the veteran Jackson, who turned 34 last month, should have a chance to compete with Bryce Brown, Anthony Dixon, and perhaps one other player for carries behind bell cow back LeSean McCoy, whom the Bills officially acquired Tuesday.

Fred Jackson
RB FA
Sun 12/28/14 6:27 PM

Jackson had 18 carries for 58 rushing yards and one catch on three targets for four receiving yards during Sunday's win over the Patriots. While his production was down from last season, Jackson was the most consistent running back for the Bills yet again, finishing with 141 carries for 525 yards and two touchdowns, while also catching a career-high 68 passes on 91 targets for 501 receiving yards and another score. 1,026 yards from scrimmage in 13 games from the 33-year-old was surely an aggressive projection at the beginning of the season, and it could be enough to warrant another one-year contract extension like he signed in July. With C.J. Spiller headed to free agency, it's entirely possible that Jackson continues his run with the Bills next year.

Fred Jackson
RB FA
Mon 12/22/14 12:09 AM

Jackson rushed six times for just 10 yards during Sunday's loss to Oakland, but made up for it in the passing game with nine catches for 93 yards. Jackson actually has more receiving yards (497) than rushing yards (467) this season, but his overall totals aren't bad at all for a 33-year-old. That's a career high in receiving yardage for Jackson, something he has a decent chance of adding to if the Bills find themselves behind the Patriots in the season finale.

Fred Jackson
RB FA
Sat 12/20/14 2:04 AM

Jackson's teammate C.J. Spiller appears set to return to action this week from a collarbone injury that has sidelined him since Week 7, Jackson received 20 carries last week in the win over Green Bay, and while the matchup against the Raiders could prove to be a juicy one, Spiller could get in the way a bit if the Bills want to give the exciting player some work.

Fred Jackson
RB FA
Sun 12/14/14 6:30 PM

Jackson had 20 carries for a season-high 71 rushing yards and three catches on six targets for 27 receiving yards during Sunday's win over the Packers. Jackson co-led the team in targets with wideout Sammy Watkins, one week after he had a team-high 14. The Bills' passing game has struggled of late, and they could rely on Jackson again in Week 16 against the Raiders, who are allowing the ninth-most rushing yards per game, while only six teams have allowed more rushing touchdowns.

Fred Jackson
RB FA
Sun 12/7/14 9:36 PM

Jackson had eight carries for 35 yards and caught 10-of-14 targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 24-17 loss at Denver. Even though the final score was close, the Broncos led by 21 points in the second half, limiting Jackson's opportunities as a ball carrier. He was gold for those that play in PPR leagues though, easily posting a season high in catches. He'll have an easier matchup next week, at least on paper, facing an ordinary Packers' rush defense.