National Football League

QB Tyrod Taylor set to take over Bills offense again

Published Nov. 2, 2015 12:36 p.m. ET

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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) Get ready for Tyrod Taylor time once again in Buffalo.

With an extra week's rest following the Bills bye week, Taylor said he's ready to reclaim his starting job after missing two games with a sprained ligament in his left knee.

''Yeah, I'm 100 percent. Feeling confident in going out there and playing on my knee,'' Taylor said following practice Monday. ''I didn't have anything that limited me today in practice. And it felt good.''

Coach Rex Ryan concurred with Taylor's prognosis, by saying: ''We expect him 100 percent for this game. That's huge.''

The Bills (3-4) are in need of any type of a boost in preparing to host Miami (3-4) on Sunday.

Buffalo is coming off two consecutive losses in which an injury-depleted offense sputtered and unraveled under backup EJ Manuel. That was particularly apparent in Manuel's latest outing, when he committed three turnovers - two returned for touchdowns - in a 34-31 loss to Jacksonville on Oct. 25.

Taylor went 3-2 in opening the season before he was hurt rallying the Bills to score two touchdowns in the final 16 1/2 minutes of a 14-13 win at Tennessee. The first-time starter provided a dual threat as a strong-armed passer and potent runner.

Taylor's nine touchdowns passing and two rushing accounted for 11 of the 15 the team scored before he was sidelined. And he set a franchise record for quarterbacks with 76 yards rushing against the Titans.

Though he hasn't ruled out wearing a brace as a precaution, Taylor said his mobility won't be limited.

''No hesitation,'' Taylor said. ''I'm just going to go out there and be myself.''

Buffalo opens a daunting stretch in which it'll play three straight AFC East rivals including two games in five days. After playing Miami, the Bills travel to face the New York Jets (4-3) on Nov. 12. And they open a stretch of playing five of their next seven on the road.

The question is which other injured Bills regulars are also healthy enough to return.

The status of starting receivers Sammy Watkins (left ankle) and Percy Harvin (hip) remains uncertain.

Watkins, who has missed three of the past four games, will practice on a limited basis Wednesday and will his injury monitored through the end of the week, Ryan said.

Harvin's status is a bigger question mark because of an injury that's nagged him since training camp. He's missed two games and did not travel to London for Buffalo's game against Jacksonville.

Ryan has issued mixed signals regarding Harvin.

Two weeks ago, the coach said the receiver didn't travel abroad because of what he called ''personal reasons.''

On Monday, Ryan suggested Harvin's absence was injury-related while noting the receiver was present at the Bills facility and undergoing treatment.

''We'll see how it goes,'' Ryan said. ''I know he wants to play. He desperately wants to contribute to this team.''

Backup running back Karlos Williams and starting right tackle Seantrel Henderson both returned to practice after being cleared of concussions. Williams missed three games while Henderson just one.

Ryan has already ruled out starting defensive tackle Kyle Williams (left) from playing in Buffalo's next two games.

Cornerback Leodis McKelvin is expected to be activated after missing the first seven games recovering from a broken right foot. And there's a chance he'll make the switch to safety in place of starter Aaron Williams, who is out until at least December with a neck injury.

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