Bills Robert Woods out Sunday, Stevie Johnson questionable

In his press conference today, Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone announced that wide receiver Robert Woods would be out this Sunday when the the Bills host the New York Jets.  Marrone also announced that Stevie Johnson’s status for Sunday is up in the air; Johnson did not practice Wednesday.  The Bills play the Jets and then they have their bye week, so the hope appears to be to rest Woods and potentially Johnson, and then have an additional two weeks to recover before they come out and take on the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Jacksonville Jaguars.  Those are three games the Bills have to see as a huge opportunity to make up ground quickly in the AFC East

The problem is that without Woods and possibly Johnson, quarterback E.J. Manuel would be without two of his top three receiving threats.  As talented as Woods and Johnson are, the Bills passing game has been a huge work in progress that still ranks 29th in the league.  Having Manuel miss time as well as having Thad Lewis and Jeff Tuel in games at different parts of the season has certainly not helped.  Manuel would certainly like to see a healthy Johnson out there to play against the Jets and their incredibly tough defense.  The Bills like to run first and second, but Johnson would be far and away the most reliable receiving threat along with tight end Scott Chandler.