Buffalo Bills

Report: EJ Manuel could remain starter with big game on Sunday

Published Oct. 18, 2015 12:03 p.m. ET

foxsports

Tyrod Taylor will miss his first game of 2015 on Sunday as he's dealing with a knee injury. With Taylor sidelined, EJ Manuel will make his return to the starting lineup for the first time since Week 4 of 2014.

The Buffalo Bills showed a great deal of confidence in Manuel a few weeks ago when they traded Matt Cassel, Taylor's backup, to the Dallas Cowboys. With Taylor being a mobile quarterback, injury is always a concern for the Virginia Tech product. That doesn't seem to be a huge concern for the Bills, though, with a new report surfacing that Manuel could remain the starter with a big game on Sunday.

According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, it's certainly a possibility. Manuel has "several key supporters inside the organization," Rapoport says, which could lead to the third-year quarterback taking over the starting job.

In looking at the numbers, it would seem unlikely. Taylor has played extremely well for the Bills. He's completed 70 percent of his passes for 1,097 yards, nine touchdowns and just four interceptions. He's also rushed for 187 yards and two touchdowns and has carried the Bills' offense without LeSean McCoy and Sammy Watkins the past two weeks.