Buffalo Bills

QB Matt Barkley signed to Bills, Punter Colton Schmidt returns

Published Oct. 31, 2018 12:49 p.m. ET

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills have signed quarterback Matt Barkley to address a banged-up and thinly experienced position ahead of their game against the Chicago Bears this weekend.

In a separate move Wednesday, punter Colton Schmidt returned to the Bills. He was signed to replace rookie Corey Bojorquez, who was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

Barkley has been out since hurting his left knee in the Cincinnati Bengals' preseason finale. He was placed on injured reserve and then released on Sept. 12.

The Bills are in need of quarterback help with rookie starter Josh Allen missing his third game with a sprained right elbow. Veteran backup Derek Anderson's status is uncertain after he suffered a concussion in a 25-6 loss to New England on Monday night.

That leaves Buffalo in a position to start turnover-prone backup Nathan Peterman against the Bears.

Barkley has a 1-5 NFL career record as a starter since being selected by Philadelphia in the fourth round of the 2013 draft out of Southern California.

Reserve running back Taiwan Jones also was placed on IR with a neck injury.