The Bills lost quarterback E.J. Manuel to a knee injury last Thursday night and Jeff Tuel was unimpressive enough in relief that the team resisted naming him their starter for their Week Six date with the Bengals.
Coach Doug Marrone announced Monday morning that Tuel won’t be getting the nod. The team will promote Thad Lewis from the practice squad and install him into the starting lineup.
“Thad gives us the best chance. We’re going to give him an opportunity to see what he has,” Marrone said, via the team.
Lewis started one game for the Browns last season, a 24-10 loss to the Steelers in Week 17 that stands as his only regular season experience to this point in his career. He was 22-of-32 for 204 yards with one touchdown and one interception in that game.
The Bills were reportedly in hot pursuit of Josh Freeman before Freeman decided to sign with the Vikings and the elevation of Lewis suggests Freeman would have had a good shot at stepping right into the lineup for Buffalo while Manuel is healing. Pat White might still be an option for Buffalo, but the main takeaway from the state of the position right now is that Manuel can’t get back onto the field soon enough.