Bills WR likely to play against Chiefs

ORCHARD PARK – Wide receiver Amari Cooper is still wearing a soft cast to protect his injured wrist, but he thinks he will be able to play for the Buffalo Bills on Sunday when they take on the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium.

Coach Sean McDermott said Friday morning that Cooper and offensive tackle Spencer Brown would be limited in practice Friday and listed as questionable for the game.

Cooper missed the last two games after getting injured in Seattle, and he was listed as a limited participant in practice the last two weeks. But on Thursday he told reporters: “I definitely feel better. Certainly more comfortable. So, I’m just ready to play football again.

When asked if the injury was problematic catching Josh Allen’s fastballs, Cooper said, “It felt good. Like I said, I don’t really feel any pain or anything when catching the ball. I just have to get used to it, catch the ball with it.

The possibility of Cooper playing is a significant development for the Bills, as they will be without rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman for the second straight week due to a knee injury.

Spencer Brown injury

As for Brown, he is dealing with an ankle injury he suffered in the fourth quarter last week in Indianapolis. He missed eight plays but returned to finish the game.

Brown, who did not practice in Wednesday’s session or Thursday’s full session, said Wednesday: “I just rolled the old ankle there and it’s swollen right now and sore, but the “The training room and I are doing everything we can to prepare for Sunday.”

He added that because the Bills have next week off, he would be in favor of playing Sunday and resting afterward.

“Absolutely,” he said. “We’ll see where it goes on Sunday and if I can, but it’s not like we have another game to play after that. So I’m ready to get out of it for a bit and then rest.

If Brown can’t play, Ryan Van Demark would get the start, and it’s possible the Bills elevate tackle Richard Gouraige from the practice squad for added depth.

“Vandy has been in our system for over a year or two here,” McDermott said. “Works hard every day, every week, very consistent player. We went there last week and did a great job for us, so we have confidence in him.

Sal Maiorana covered the Buffalo Bills for four decades, including 35 years as a full-time staff writer for the D&C, and he wrote numerous books on the team’s history. He can be reached at [email protected] and you can follow him on Twitter @salmaiorana.