Report: Bills concerned LeSean McCoy won't be 100 percent for Week 1

The Buffalo Bills have publicly maintained confidence that LeSean McCoy will be in the lineup and ready to play Week 1, but the team now appears to be approaching the running back's status with some cautious optimism.

McCoy hasn't yet resumed practicing at full speed after being forced to the sidelines with a hamstring injury Aug. 18, and there is concern within the organization he may not be fully ready in time for the regular-season opener, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.

A team source told Anderson that an MRI revealed a small tear in McCoy's hamstring, but added that he sustained the injury in a relatively favorable area surrounded by stronger muscles.

"It's way too early to say whether (McCoy) will play or not," the source said. "He is doing a little bit more every day. But hell yes, I'm concerned about that. I can't say for sure he's going to be with us Week 1. I can't say that at all.

"It will take everything we got just to get him ready for game day, and then we get to game day (there's) no way he can be in great football shape. So I think he will be on a pitch count, I think at the very best."

Anderson's source indicated that while the Bills are still planning for McCoy to be available in some capacity, they'd recommend he sit out if he's not back at 100 percent.

McCoy won't play in the Bills' final preseason game Thursday night, and he'll likely end up a true game-time decision ahead of the Sept. 13 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.

Buffalo acquired McCoy in a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, implementing the three-time Pro Bowler as the centerpiece of a revamped offensive attack.

The team opted to part ways with longtime running back Fred Jackson on Tuesday, putting Bryce Brown and Anthony Dixon in position for increased roles should McCoy's rehab process extend into the regular season.