With the Philadelphia District Attorney’s investigation into LeSean McCoy ongoing, the Bills are planning for the 2016 season as if their top running back will miss the first few games, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). While it sounds as if the Bills are bracing for a potential suspension, that indicates the team probably plans to keep McCoy on its roster rather than cutting ties with him.
McCoy, who earned a Pro Bowl nod during his first season with the Bills in 2015, is under investigation for his role in an altercation at a Philadelphia nightclub earlier this month, when he and three of his companions fought with at least two off-duty police officers. The Philadelphia D.A.’s office has yet to decide whether to issue an arrest warrant for McCoy for his role in the incident, but even if the running back doesn’t face charges, he could face a suspension from the NFL, which will conduct its own investigation.
A meeting scheduled yesterday between McCoy, his attorneys, and representatives from the Philadelphia D.A.’s office had to be rescheduled and relocated to McCoy’s attorney’s office after it was leaked to the media, as ESPN’s Mike Rodak details. It’s not clear what was discussed at the meeting, but there has been some tension between the D.A.’s office and representatives of a Philadelphia police union, whose members, including president John McNesby, believe McCoy is receiving preferential treatment.
If McCoy is ultimately suspended for his role in the nightclub incident, the Bills would likely turn to Karlos Williams as their starter to open the 2016 season. Although McCoy would be missed in that scenario, Buffalo could probably get by with Williams leading the rushing attack for a few weeks — in his rookie season, he averaged an impressive 5.6 yards per carry and scored nine touchdowns.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.