LeSean McCoy will play with sprained ankle against Jaguars in the Wild Card round

The Buffalo Bills will play in their first playoff game since 2000, and running back LeSean McCoy will not miss out on it. McCoy, who suffered a sprained ankle against the Dolphins in Week 17, will play against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card Round, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

What happened? During the third quarter against the Dolphins, McCoy twisted his ankle awkwardly and was in great pain. Buffalo’s trainers quickly came onto the field to check on the star running back. While the trainers were attending to McCoy, he punched the turf out of frustration and was carted off the field.

McCoy received an X-ray after the game, and the results were negative. However, he was diagnosed with a sprained ankle and received round-the-clock treatment this week.

On Thursday, McCoy said he was doing his best to return.

“I just want to be able to cut well enough where I don’t have a lot of pain when I’m cutting,” McCoy said, via the Bills’ official team site. “I just want to be close or the best as far as 100 percent I can get. But a game like this you’ve got to lay it on the line. If I can’t get to 100 percent as long as I’m out there and I can run effective enough, I’ll do it. We’ll just see.”

McCoy is now ready to play against Jacksonville, despite being listed as questionable this week. Friday was his only day at practice, where he was was limited.

Why is this important? McCoy, 29, is the heart and soul of the offense. Buffalo finished the regular season with the sixth-best rushing attack in the NFL. McCoy accumulated 1,138 rushing yards and six touchdowns this season. McCoy’s presence would help take some pressure off quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

Jacksonville’s second-ranked defense is the best at defending the pass but 21st against the run. Buffalo must run the ball to have a chance at upsetting the Jaguars. McCoy should have a huge workload in this game.