Fred

Jackson

Beat writer Tom Curran says his back started acting up last week, but also expressed surprise that he wasn’t playing despite missing practice on Thursday and Friday. With Myron Pryor (shoulder) on I.R. and Mike Wright (concussion) out, the Pats will be thin up front. Fred Jackson is setting up as a very nice RB2 play with upside.

Jackson’s rushing attempts were down with Buffalo playing from behind in a spread offense for the majority of the game. In addition to his 1-yard plunge behind FB Corey McIntyre, he also took a 39-yard pass down to the doorstep of the end zone to set up the game-winning field goal. C.J. Spiller saw just one carry, and it was obvious that F-Jax was the Bills’ best offensive weapon. He’ll maintain solid RB2 status for next week’s game in Cincinnati.

Jackson added six catches for 85 yards, giving him a season-high 196 yards from scrimmage. A good deal of his yardage came after first contact, as he routinely took advantage of poor Eagles tackling. He has now gone over 100 yards on the ground in three of his first five games. With 480 yards rushing on the season, Jackson is on pace to easily surpass his career-best total of 1,062 from 2009. In Week 6, he’ll get a Giants’ run defense that surrendered 145 yards to the Seahawks on Sunday, and is allowing 4.18 yards per tote through five games.

“He could be an every down back. I don’t see any reason he couldn’t carry 20- 25 if he needed to,” Gailey said. “But he’s a valuable, versatile player. He can play wideout. We’re fortunate to have two very good backs. I’m going to try to make sure we keep them fresh and wear ‘em out at the same time.” Spiller isn’t going to ascend to the No. 1 role with Fred Jackson returning, likely with an extension in tow.

Jackson could be cut next offseason and the Bills would only be left on the hook for signing bonus proration. He wouldn’t cost them any more cash. Jackson’s two-year extension included just $8.7 million in new money as initially reported, and he gets $5.405 million in the first year. Jackson’s 2013 and 2014 cap numbers will be just $3.7 million apiece, so the Bills will control his rights with little risk. It’s a team-friendly deal, to be sure.

The injury ended Jackson’s season in November. Jackson should be able to participate fully in Buffalo’s offseason program, and he’ll enter 2012 training camp competing with C.J. Spiller for snaps. Spiller performed well enough down the 2011 stretch that he could supplant Jackson for the Bills’ starting job.

“Buddy Nix has been honest and consistent with us all along,” Jackson’s rep said Friday. “I’m confident talks will get started in the next couple of months.” It’s unlikely Nix would have gone out on such a public limb were he not confident something will get done. Jackson may have to wait until after the draft, but he’ll get his new contract.

Jackson said his contract status is “not a concern at all,” and expects things to get sorted out after the draft. The 31-year-old is currently set to make $1.955 million after rushing for at least 927 yards for the third consecutive year in 2011. GM Buddy Nix has guaranteed Jackson will get a new deal before camp. It should include a raise for 2012, but figures to feature little, if any, guaranteed money beyond this season.

Jackson was previously signed through only 2012. The extension likely gives him an up-front bump while allowing Buffalo to retain his rights into Jackson’s age-33 campaign. A longtime practice squad player, Jackson’s career didn’t take off until 2008, and he’s only got 817 carries worth of wear on his tires. C.J. Spiller is the future of Buffalo’s tailback position, but Jackson will remain heavily involved until he starts showing signs of breakdown. He certainly didn’t last year, averaging career bests in yards per carry (5.49) and yards per reception (11.3) before a fractured right fibula ended his season after ten games. Jackson is now healthy.

Combined with the $2.105 million left on his old deal, Jackson now essentially has a three-year, $10.8 million contract. He can earn another $2.3 million through incentives in 2013 and 2014. It’s a cost effective agreement for the Bills, and doesn’t leave them at too much risk if Jackson hits a career wall at age 31 or 32. Jackson turned 31 in February.