Sources: EJ Manuel expected to start Sunday against Bengals

ESPN logo
Sunday, October 18, 2015

EJ Manuel is expected to start at quarterback Sunday for the Buffalo Bills in place of the injured Tyrod Taylor, sources told ESPN's Bob Holtzman.

Manuel took the majority of first-team snaps at practice this week as the Bills prepared to host the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals.

Taylor, who is officially listed as questionable with a knee injury, has been unable to convince Rex Ryan and the Bills' coaching staff that he will be ready to play, sources told Holtzman.

The Bills have not publicly named a starting quarterback yet for this week. Ryan said Friday that Taylor is "feeling a lot better" but would be a game-time decision.

Manuel was Buffalo's first-round draft pick in 2013 but lost the starting job to Taylor during the preseason. The 25-year-old Manuel appeared in five games last season, completing 58 percent of his passes for 838 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.

Taylor, 26, has sparked the Bills to a 3-2 record in his first season as a starting quarterback. He suffered a sprained MCL in last week's victory over the Tennessee Titansand has been limited at practice this week.