The Buffalo Bills are not planning to sign former Baltimore Ravens running back, Ray Rice, a source from the team told ESPN on Sunday.

Rumors of Rice being part of the Bills' roster emerged when a high-level executive was quoted as saying in a Sport Illustrated report that Rice could potentially land a deal with the Bills, despite the team has no immediate need for a running back. However, the executive claimed that the Bills head coach "loves" Rice.

"I think I'm in the minority on this, but I think he plays this year. But it'll have to be for a really strong front office organization. Seattle, Green Bay, Dallas, situations like that. I'm a little bit surprised that it has taken this long for someone to sign him. Buffalo could be another team to watch with Rice. They don't have a need at running back right now, but I'm told Rex Ryan thinks the world of him from their time together in Baltimore [in 2008]. He loves him. He doesn't like him. He loves him," said the executive.

If Ryan is indeed a fan of the NFL player, Rice may still have a hard time getting into the team. ESPN noted that the Bills already have a roster of veteran running backs such as LeSean McCoy, Fred Jackson, Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown, and the rookie Karlos Williams.

Also, Rice only gave an output of 3.1 yards per carry in the 2013 season, which was far by percentage from his 4 yards per carry in four seasons before that, noted Yahoo! Sports.

Syracuse noted another predicament for Rice. There have been several reports of players being involved with domestic violence issues.

A front office club member expressed the same opinion via Sports Illustrated.

"Every time a guy gets in trouble for domestic violence, it gets harder for Ray Rice to get back in. Ray McDonald did Ray Rice absolutely no favors, because every time domestic violence is in the headlines, that brings Rice back onto the radar for the wrong reason," said the club member.

So, is there a chance football fans will still see Rice play on the field?

"It's possible, but unlikely [he gets signed]. I don't think the guy is toxic, it's just unlikely that with his age, position and incident it all comes together. I don't buy the idea that signing Ray Rice is turning your back on domestic violence. I just think it would take a strong team to explain and defend your stance. I think it's unfair to paint Ray Rice with the same brush as a repeat offender like Ray McDonald. However, in a zero tolerance environment for domestic violence, it's a hard thing for a team to take on, from a perception standpoint, even if you like the guy," a club executive told Sports Illustrated.