Orchard Park, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Buffalo Bills starting quarterback EJ Manuel will not play in Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins due to a sprained left knee he sustained in the team's most recent outing.
Head coach Doug Marrone told reporters Wednesday that Thad Lewis will start the Bills' Week 16 matchup with the Dolphins with rookie Jeff Tuel serving as the backup.
Manuel is still dealing with significant swelling in the knee, which he injured during Sunday's 27-20 win at Jacksonville but was able to finish out the contest
"We were not able to get that swelling to respond with the treatments the way we wanted," said Marrone. "We went out there today -- I think you saw, you saw him where he's able to throw the ball in the pocket, but the stability in that knee with the swelling, he does not have the escapability or the ability to run after the fake or zone read or those type of things that we feel is important for us to win."
This will be the second time Manuel has been sidelined this season with a knee problem. The 2013 first-round pick missed four consecutive games, including the Bills' 23-21 win over Miami on Oct. 20, after spraining his right knee in early October.
Lewis made his second career start in that Week 7 clash with the Dolphins and completed 21-of-32 passes for 202 yards and an interception.
Marrone also said he expects Manuel to be healthy for Buffalo's Dec. 29 season finale at New England.
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