For the second consecutive week EJ Manuel will start at quarterback for the Buffalo Bills in place of Tyrod Taylor, who is out with a MCL sprain in his left knee. It was a bad sign when Taylor was not present at the Bills practice in London Thursday morning. Head coach Rex Ryan confirmed Manuel will start Sunday against Jacksonville following the Bills’ morning practice session.
This adds some intrigue to the international matchup as the Bills’ previous head coach and offensive coordinator, Doug Marrone and Nathaniel Hackett, who benched Manuel in favor of Kyle Orton just a season ago, are now members of Jacksonville’s coaching staff.
Manuel does not seem to care about facing his old coaches, as he claims to have no hard feelings heading into Sunday.
EJ Manuel: I’m not playing against Doug Marrone or Nate Hackett. I’m playing against JAX defense. Everything else an afterthought.
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) October 22, 2015
Ryan also ruled out starting receiver Sammy Watkins with an ankle injury he suffered last week against the Bengals, running back Karlos Williams, defensive tackle Kyle Williams, and tackle Seantrel Henderson as they did not travel across the pond with their teammates this week.
The only comment Ryan provided on Percy Harvin‘s absence is that he didn’t travel with the team due to “personal reasons.” Reports broke this morning of Harvin potentially considering retirement due to a lingering hip injury.
