E.J. Manuel could be out for a portion of the regular season or he could start Week 1 under center for the Buffalo Bills. There is plenty of uncertainty surrounding the rookie quarterback and head coach Doug Marrone is keeping it that way. While Marrone is ruling out Manuel for the preseason, he is vague on the severity of the knee injury. With that, Kevin Kolb is poised to start the third preseason game and maybe more.
The Bills announced that Manuel had swelling in his left knee and underwent a minor procedure. He said in a released statement that an MRI revealed an injury and the rookie is ruled out for the entire preseason remaining and would re-evaluated after words. So what is the next move?
Manuel was not blowing people away with his preseason play, but he was doing enough to build his case as the potential starter for the team. He started Week 1 of the preseason. Kolb started Week 2. It was set up for Manuel to start Week 3, the all-important dress rehearsal before the regular season begins. After appearing strong in his first preseason start, Manuel only improved in the second game, going 10-of-12 for 92 yards and a touchdown while stepping in for Kolb.
With the injury, the Bills will beef up Kolb to be the starter. Marrone is not saying much on the entire issue, but the Bills have said they are not targeting another quarterback to bring onto the team. In Kolb's lone preseason game, he did not appear as strong or in control as Manuel did. He went 13-of-21 for 111 yards and one interception. He led the team on two drives that both resulted in field goals.
The Bills have no choice but to stick with Kolb and third-string quarterback Jeff Tuel who has seen very little reps in practice. Kolb has never impressed as a starting quarterback before, but the Bills are hoping he can change that.
Marrone secrecy on the whole injury is not putting too many minds at ease. Maybe the knee injury is being overblown and Manuel will return to be the Week 1 starter like many had assumed. However, it could be more severe than the Bills want to admit and are trying to contemplate options before announcing anything.
It will not be a shock if Kolb is starting the first week of the season, but the Bills will do everything they can to get Manuel healthy and prepared to take over.