EJ Manuel is expected to start for the Buffalo Bills due to an injury suffered by Tyrod Taylor, but still has a lot of proving to do if he hopes to take away the starting job for good, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. If Manuel does play well against the heavily favored Bengals, it could reopen the starting quarterback battle.
EJ Manuel has a chance to reopen the Bills quarterback battle
Manuel is expected to start against the Bengals, and word is that he could reopen the starting quarterback battle if he plays well.
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
According to ESPN's Bob Holtzman, Taylor made every effort to convince coaches that his knee wasn't so bad that he should be sitting on the sidelines, but the team instead elected to go with Manuel against the Cincinnati Bengals. Taylor's status in Week 7 could also be in doubt and the Bills reportedly did some checking into the passport status of some free agent quarterbacks in case a signing was necessary prior to a game in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Manuel, 25, started 10 games for the Bills as a rookie in 2013, throwing 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions while leading the team to a 4-6 record. In his second season, he started just four games and finished the year with five touchdowns and three interceptions.
A three-way quarterback battle over the offseason between Taylor, Manuel and Matt Cassel ended with Taylor earning the job. Taylor has done well in the role, with nine touchdowns and four interceptions, leading the Bills to a 3-2 record and a spot as the No. 9 scoring offense through five weeks.
Manuel’s return to the starting lineup could be tough against the undefeated Bengals who are No. 10 in scoring defense, just behind Buffalo.
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