Saturday, Aug 14, 2010 10:17 AM

Agent: Bills' Jackson could seek second opinion on hand injury

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Bills running back Fred Jackson will have more tests to determine the severity of a left hand injury that will force him to miss at least the remainder of the preseason.

Jackson's agent, Jerome Douglas, told The Associated Press by telephone Saturday that it's too early to determine whether his client will require surgery on what he referred to as "a bone injury." Douglas added that depending on what team doctors inform Jackson, it's likely the player will seek a second medical opinion.

"All the diagnostic tests have not been fully performed, but he's going to be out for a little bit," Douglas said, noting that Jackson is scheduled to meet with doctors Saturday.

It's unclear which hand Jackson hurt during a 42-17 preseason loss at Washington on Friday night. After the game, Bills coach Chan Gailey didn't divulge the nature of the injury and would only say that Jackson will miss the Bills' final three preseason games.

"We hope to get him back for the first game," Gailey said, referring to the Bills' regular-season opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 12.

Jackson was hurt during a 7-yard run on the Bills' second play from scrimmage while being pulled down by the facemask by Redskins safety Kareem Moore, who was penalized on the play. Jackson landed on his right hand, which was holding the ball, while also using his left hand to brace for the impact.

Jackson didn't return. A video on the Bills' official Web site shows Jackson on the sideline wearing a cast on his left hand.

The Bills are off until Monday, when they return to training camp in suburban Rochester. They next play host to the Indianapolis Colts in a game at Toronto on Thursday night.

It's a game in which the Bills might be down another running back. Marshawn Lynch hurt his ankle six plays after Jackson went down against the Redskins. Referring to Lynch's injury, Gailey said he hoped "it's a lot more short-term than it is long-term."

The Bills have three other running backs on their roster, led by rookie first-round draft pick C.J. Spiller, who was selected ninth overall out of Clemson.

Jackson supplanted Lynch as the starter last season and finished with a career-best 1,062 rushing yards. Jackson also added 1,014 yards in kickoff returns to become the first NFL player to break the 1,000-yard mark in both categories in the same season.