The first quarterback selected in the NFL Draft in April appears set to start the season opener for the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
According to Peter Schrager of FOXSports.com, Bills head coach Doug Marrone is expected to name E.J. Manuel the Bills’ Week 1 starter on Wednesday.
Manuel returned to practice on Sunday and has apparently improved enough from his knee injury to earn the starting nod against the New England Patriots this week. Manuel would get the call to start over undrafted free agent Jeff Tuel, who the Bills had been preparing to start if Manuel was unable to play.
Manuel played well in two preseason games before getting injured. He completed 26 of 33 passes (79-percent) for 199 yards and two touchdowns in games against the Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings.