Bills quarterback EJ Manuel will undergo “minor” surgery on his left knee and miss the club’s final two preseason games, head coach Doug Marrone said Saturday afternoon.
“EJ Manuel had some swelling in his left knee this morning and was examined by our medical staff,” Marrone said in a statement from the club. “An MRI revealed that he will need to have a minor knee procedure and that has been scheduled. He will miss the remainder of the preseason and then be re-evaluated at that time.”
Kevin Kolb will start the Bills’ next preseason game, Marrone said.
Manuel strengthened his case for the Bills’ starting quarterback job in Buffalo’s 20-16 preseason win vs. Minnesota on Friday night, completing 10-of-12 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown in relief of Kolb, who started the game. However, the injury opens the door for Kolb to potentially begin the season as the starter, given the time Manuel will miss leading up to Week One.