E.J. Manuel practicing again
Buffalo Bills quarterback E.J. Manuel started practicing yesterday, and the Bills official site states that he was back on the practice field today and looks on track to start Sunday’s season opener against the New England Patriots. While the Bills still need to evaluate Manuel, it looks like Doug Marrone’s decision date on whether or not to “O.K.” E.J. Manuel for action has decreased to Wednesday. The news on Manuel is encouraging, and my money is on Manuel starting. Although the Bills are high on Jeff Tuel, it’s much better for the Bills to start a first-round rookie over an undrafted rookie. Marrone and the Bills organization is being careful not to push their quarterback of the future too much, but that might be the only reason why there is doubt surrounding Manuel’s ability to play.
Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel (3) throws a pass before a game against the Vikings. Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
According to the official site, the Bills split the first-team reps today between Manuel and Tuel. Manuel recently stated that he would “most definitely” play if the decision were up to him, and that speaks to his toughness. Since the day he came to Buffalo, Manuel wowed people with his make-up as a franchise QB, something that he was praised for in the pre-draft process.
The knee injury that E.J. Manuel is suffering from is a meniscus injury, and his progression has certainly gone well. The Bills are still leaving the status of their rookie QBs up in the air, but Marrone stated yesterday that the Buffalo Bills would make a decision on Wednesday. For now, it is anyone’s guess as to which rookie QB will get the start against the Patriots, but I really do think that we’ll see E.J. Manuel starting under center.
Here’s Doug Marrone from yesterday’s press conference, “I think that the he’s transitioning in, I think it’s no secret. I said it before, if we can have him practicing on Wednesday and we feel that he’s good enough and mentally ready to play, then he’s going to play. I’ll be able to give everyone an answer on Wednesday.”