Among those inactive for Buffalo's game against the Steelers are wide receivers Percy Harvin, Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods and running backs LeSean McCoy, Boobie Dixon, Bryce Brown and Karlos Williams, according to the team. In total, 13 Bills will sit, including five wideouts, four running backs and defensive tackle Marcell Dareus.
NFL Media's Albert Breer reports that the Bills' plan is to play each quarterback, including Manuel, for "a series or two." This means that even though Manuel is starting, he won't receive any more time behind center than Matt Cassel or Tyrod Taylor, who are also wrapped up in this farce of a quarterback competition.
Regardless, it will be difficult for any quarterback, especially the sure underdog Manuel, to separate himself from the pack with Marquise Goodwin and Andre Davis starting at wideout in place of Harvin and Watkins.
If Bills coach Rex Ryan was planning to use the third preseason game to ultimately judge the state of his offense, his short staff of skill players won't help him in the slightest.