After being unable to close a deal with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman, the Buffalo Bills decided to put a practice squad quarterback at their helm.
The Bills announced Monday morning that Thaddeus Lewis will start their next game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“Thad gives us the best chance,” coach Doug Marrone said via the team’s Twitter account. “We’re going to give him an opportunity to see what he has.”
Lewis will fill in for rookie first-round draft pick E.J. Manuel, who will be out for a few weeks with a knee injury.
Jeff Tuel, an undrafted rookie, entered the game against the Cleveland Browns when Manuel went down, but struggled, only completing 8 of 20 passes for 80 yards and an interception.
The last game Lewis started was for the Browns last season. In that game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he completed 22 of 32 passes for 204 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
The Bills signed Lewis to the practice squad in August.
