The Buffalo Bills are already looking at potential free agent quarterbacks after injuries to both Tyrod Taylor and Nathan Peterman left sometimes-receiver, sometimes-special-teamer Joe Webb as the team’s only option under center on Sunday. That player would need to be ready soon, too.
Taylor was originally injured on the first play of the team’s Week 13 match-up against the New England Patriots. He played a good chunk of the game but was forced out with pain in the second half. He did practice in a limited capacity this week and could be ready to go in Week 15 against the Miami Dolphins.
Peterman came in as Taylor’s replacement and started in Week 14 against the Indianpolis Colts but is in the concussion protocol after a head-first dive was met by an aggressive defender. Concussions are impossible to predict but Taylor and Los Angeles Chargers starting quarterback Philip Rivers both played in games seven days after suffering a concussion earlier this season so it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
So with that, the Bills have Joe Webb who has spent as much time in the receiver room as the quarterback room, and Logan Thomas, a tight end who played quarterback in college at Virginia Tech and bounced around at the position in the NFL before converting to tight end.
Here are some players that are still available:
Keith Wenning
Wenning would head the list because Buffalo brought him in at the end of the preseason when dealing with quarterback injuries. He knows the system and has worked with offensive coordinator Rick Dennison in the past. But, he signed a practice roster contract with the Toronto Argonauts in October so an NFL team can’t sign him until February (we think). NFL rules stipulate players on a CFL roster with a CFL contract can’t sign until after the Super Bowl, but Wenning isn’t on the roster, he’s on the practice roster. So who knows?
Christian Ponder
The former first-round pick out of Florida State was never able to live up to the hype that saw him drafted so high. He spent some time with Bills offensive coordinator Rick Dennison when he was with the Denver Broncos, though, so he’s got to be a name they’d consider bringing in with only six days to prepare.
Colin Kaepernick
Kaepernick is a solid NFL quarterback. I’m not sure you invite the media circus surrounding him with both of your top QBs expected to return to the lineup later. It should also be noted that the outspoken activist said the worst reception he received in the league was by Bills fans.
Robert Griffin III
Another former number one pick, Griffin has been out of football since being released by the Cleveland Browns this offseason. Griffin, like Kaepernick, would bring a lot of attention and would require an offense that needs tailoring.