Tyrod Taylor still planning to play on Sunday

The Bills could be without quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who has an MCL sprain, and have just two healthy running backs for Sunday’s game at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

“I would not rule out Tyrod Taylor as starting this week”, Ryan told SiriusXM NFL Radio on Wednesday morning.

Rex Ryan started his press conference Thursday holding quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s jersey from last week’s victory over Tennessee. “That may or may not be the case”. “I think he’s definitely progressing, so we’ll let the week play out and see how he looks”.

If Taylor can’t play against the Bengals (5-0), Manuel will make his first start in more than a year.

Ryan provided the update before the team’s practice on Wednesday.

Though he had no difficulty jogging in a straight line, Taylor was hampered when moving laterally during the 20-minute portion of practice open to reporters. “I want to be able to play at a high level and if I can’t the coaches will make a decision off of that”, said Taylor. “I feel like a had a great preseason and a bunch of confidence to build off of that”. On re-injury, Watkins said, “if it pops, it pops”. Watkins has missed the last two-plus games with a calf injury, but Ryan said he feels pretty good about Watkins returning for the Cincinnati game. “Obviously, Tyrod Taylor’s foot speed is a little bit of a difference”.

The question is whether the Bills would risk Taylor to further injury because his dual-threat ability as a passer and runner exposes him to being hit. He was horse-collar tackled by Titans linebacker Zach Brown and twisted the knee.

Taylor had a team-best 76 yards rushing – the most by a Bills quarterback in team history.

Lesean McCoy was also on the practice field, and may be back Sunday.

One thing that could certainly help Roman, though, is the potential return of wide receiver Sammy Watkins to the lineup.

With the Bills placing Aaron Williams on injured reserve, they have a hole to fill at safety.

Last season, Manuel got off to a 2-2 start before being benched in place of veteran journeyman Kyle Orton. “It’s in the past”, Manuel said. “I mean to have the opportunity and go out there, especially as a defense, playing against an offense that’s undefeated and a team that’s undefeated, the offense is playing well, it’s big for us”.

Q: Do you expect to play Sunday?

QB Josh Johnson was signed off waivers to provide depth because Tyrod Taylor is banged up, and EJ Manuel is the only other viable quarterback on the roster.

The quarterback position has been unsettled since Jim Kelly retired following the 1996 season, and a revolving door since Manuel arrived. Taylor became the fifth quarterback to start a game in Buffalo since the start of the 2013 season.

It’s been a rollercoaster ride for the former first-round draft pick, who was a part of a three-way competition to be the starter in training camp.