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As expected, the Buffalo Bills had their top two quarterbacks back on the practice field as the team began preparations for the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday. Both EJ Manuel and Thad Lewis practiced on Wednesday - Manuel after a four-game absence with a sprained LCL, Lewis after one with a rib injury - with the team tweeting out a photo that likely brings a small sense of comfort to fans still reeling from watching Jeff Tuel on Sunday.
#Bills QB EJ Manuel has returned to practice pic.twitter.com/aqsFgUZMg7
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) November 6, 2013
Manuel took the first rep of the group at the practice, with Lewis and Tuel working in second and third, as it should be. Where the Bills were hedging their bets on Manuel's potential availability for Week 10 earlier in the week, team president Russ Brandon told WGR 550 on Wednesday morning that Manuel "should be ready to go" against the Steelers, barring a setback with his knee this week.
The only two players missing from practice on Wednesday, according to the various beat reporters on hand, were wide receivers Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin. Woods was not on the field at all, per reports, while Goodwin stretched with his teammates before heading to the sidelines to work with trainers. Goodwin is expected to practice on Thursday, but head coach Doug Marrone told reporters after practice that he's not expecting Woods to play in Pittsburgh.
Marrone expressed more optimism on Manuel, however - though he's also waiting until later in the week to determine his starting quarterback.
Manuel took more reps than Lewis, and Marrone confirms he will start so long as he does not have a setback. #Bills
— Jay Skurski (@JaySkurski) November 6, 2013