It's a mystery to Bills fans why C.J. Spiller saw just 12 of the team's 69 offensive snaps in Sunday's loss to the New England Patriots. He's not the only Buffalo running back, though, who can't figure out why he isn't playing more.
After trading a future fourth-round draft choice to the Eagles for Bryce Brown, the third-year runner has been a healthy scratch for six straight games.
"I expected to play and I expected to play right away," Brown said Thursday, per ESPN.com's Mike Rodak. "I still expected to play right away after preseason. But, me not playing and inactive was a surprise. I didn't expect that."
Brown was intriguing while rumbling for 4.6 yards per carry in 32 games for the Eagles, but Bills coach Doug Marrone hasn't shown much urgency to play him, telling reporters: "He's here for a while. I'm not concerned about (getting him on the field soon)."
An inability to help on special teams has contributed to Brown's inactivity, but the presence of Spiller and Fred Jackson assured he wouldn't see much time. Back in August, fellow Around The NFL scribe Chris Wesseling pointed to Brown as a red-shirt candidate, which is exactly the role he's played so far.
With Spiller the subject of trade rumors and set to become a free agent, though, Brown's rise up the pecking order might come much sooner than later.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast recaps the Patriots' thrilling win over the Jets and previews every other Week 7 game. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
