The injury list for the Buffalo Bills is long and with all of the wrong names on them. The team is dealing with issues to LeSean McCoy, Sammy Watkins and now Tyrod Taylor as they prepare for a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Taylor has been a star for the Bills so far this season and the team lost several quarterbacks after naming him the starter. However, a knee injury is likely to put EJ Manuel back under center.
The Buffalo Bills announced via ESPN that Taylor suffered an MCL injury in the win over the Tennessee Titans and will not be able to play Sunday. Taylor put up 109 yards through the air and another 76 yards on the ground against Tennessee, but suffered the injury as a result. While reports say Taylor will not be about to play in Week 7 and Manuel will start in his place, head coach Rex Ryan is not making any formal calls just yet.
"I would not rule out Tyrod Taylor starting this week....he's got heart, he's got toughness," Ryan said on Sirius XM NFL Radio with Jason Taylor and Bob Papa.
This could just be Ryan talking. It seems unlikely given the reports that Taylor will be able to get on the field. Buffalo would be smart to keep the quarterback out a game. Ryan said on Tuesday the player was "beat up" and resting him one game might not be the worst idea for the team moving forward. Manuel will get the nod after battling for the starting spot at the beginning of the season. According to Mike Rodak of ESPN, the Bills signed Josh Johnson for a quarterback option after Matt Simms turned down the option. The team has to hope that Manuel is healthy and Taylor returns soon.
The question now is who will be the offensive weapons that he can work with. The Bills are dealing with issues with several of their playmakers and are hopeful at least one returns against the Bengals. According to the Buffalo News, Watkins is on track to play Week 6 after dealing with numerous injuries. That would be big for Manuel who would then have his top four receiving options on the field with Percy Harvin, Robert Woods and Charles Clay.
"I was really encouraged with Sammy - how Sammy went through even with his workout before the game," Ryan said, via Buffalo News. "We thought it was best to give him a little more time. Sometimes you can go on the practice field and all that, but that game speed is a little different and the intensity is certainly different. We thought it was best to just hold him out of that game and get him really ready for this one. I feel good about Sammy."
Karlos Williams is also expected to return as McCoy is not ready to play with a hamstring injury. Williams has been dealing with a concussion issue that kept him out against the Titans, but the Bills expect the running back to return which would be a big boost for Manuel on offense.