EJ Manuel to start at quarterback for Bills on Sunday
EJ Manuel hasn't played since a 37-24 loss in Cleveland on Oct. 3. (David Dermer/Getty Images)
Bills coach Doug Marrone confirmed on Friday morning that rookie EJ Manuel, who hasn't played since suffering an LCL injury in his right knee in Week 5, will start on Sunday in Pittsburgh.
“He’s done a very good job,” Marrone told BuffaloBills.com. “It was a challenge for him not being out there for four weeks. So we worked very hard on the mental aspect and the preparation aspect. He did a great job of that. He came out there this week and had a good week of practice. So we’re excited about putting him back out there on the field.”
Manuel, who will wear a knee brace on Sunday, practiced on a limited basis last week and was back with the first-team offense this week, so the move was expected.
BURKE: Eight best games left in the NFL season
The Bills were 1-3 in Manuel's absence, with Thad Lewis and Jeff Tuel under center.
In his first five NFL games, Manuel, the 16th pick in April's draft, threw for 985 yards, with five touchdowns, three interceptions and a 56.7 completion percentage. He was sacked 13 times.
The Bills (3-6) are in last place in the AFC East, but are only two games back of the final playoff spot.
