The Buffalo Bills have finally found a quarterback to replace the injured E.J. Manuel. Thad Lewis has been summoned from the practice squad to star for the Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Bills head coach Doug Marrone confirmed the news Monday in a radio interview:
“We have decided that we are going to call Thad Lewis up from our practice squad and he will start at quarterback for us this Sunday. Thaddeus has been with us the whole time, knows the system now, has been practicing with us and traveling with us. So at the point where we are now, he gives us the best opportunity. He has experience. He has played in games. He knows the system.
“The situation now is Thad gives us the best chance, I think we’ll play to his strengths and he does know the whole playbook now. He can extend plays. He can run. He can throw it. We’re happy with what he’s done in the practices here that we’ve watched him. So now we’re going to give him an opportunity to see what he has.
“I’m a big believer if someone is on your roster and you keep him around and you see us do it with the practice squad, bringing guys up, you’ve got to put them out there to see where they are. The one thing you want to do is know what you have. I’m very comfortable with Jeff (Tuel) developing and with Thad, I want to see what we have.”
With the team’s N0.2 quarterback Kevin Kolb already out, Lewis’ promotion comes four days after Manuel went down with a knee injury in Thursday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Lewis started in Cleveland’s final game last season against Pittsburgh, going 22-32 passing (68.8 percent) for 204 yards with a touchdown and interception and a passer rating of 83.3.
Lewis gets his chance to shine Oct. 13 on against the Cincinnati Bengals in Ralph Wilson Stadium.
