Bills news: Chris Ivory 'would be the first option' if LeSean McCoy is unavailable

The Buffalo Bills may have a difficult situation on their hands with LeSean McCoy. There's a chance the star running back could be suspended and this would lead to Chris Ivory filling the void.

The Buffalo Bills have been put in a potentially serious position with Pro Bowl running back LeSean McCoy possibly being involved in some surprising allegations of domestic, child, and animal abuse that could lead to a lengthy or suspension or much worse.

This situation first deserves the Bills undivided attention given what McCoy is being accused of that have no place in football or anywhere if held to be true. At the same time, it also pushes forth the possibility that offseason acquisition Chris Ivory would be first in line in terms of being the primary option in the backfield, according to Jay Skurski of Buffalo News.

Barring a roster move, Ivory would be the first option. The 30-year-old averaged a career-worst 3.4 yards per carry in 2017 with Jacksonville, finishing with 382 yards and one touchdown on 112 carries. Jacksonville released him in February to save $3.75 million against the salary cap. The Bills signed him less than two weeks later to a two-year contract that’s worth up to $6 million.

Ivory has been a reliable option in the backfield at his previous two stops with the New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars. He had a breakout campaign in 2015 with the New York Jets in which he rushed for 1,070 yards that put him on the map. However, he has fallen short of 450 rushing yards in each of the last two seasons due to injury and the presence of other strong options at the position with Leonard Fournette along with T.J. Yeldon, and Corey Grant in Jacksonville.

With the backfield situation less murky in Buffalo, it may be his chance to prove that he can excel in the primary running back role that would likely see him take up a major role in the offense. Ivory has shown to be a tough runner that could be utilized as a viable option in goal-line situations.

Ultimately, all of this hinges on what unfolds with McCoy's situation over the next few weeks that will dictate his future in the NFL. If things are to head down the path of a suspension, the Bills have the solace of possessing a proven running back on the roster to pick up the slack.