The Buffalo Bills have announced their list of seven inactive players for tonight's Thursday Night Football game against the New York Jets, and the name atop the list might surprise you a little.
- QB EJ Manuel (healthy scratch)
- OT Cyrus Kouandjio (knee)
- C Gabe Ikard (healthy scratch)
- DL Kyle Williams (knee)
- DL Stefan Charles (healthy scratch)
- LB Randell Johnson (healthy scratch)
- CB Mario Butler (healthy scratch)
Yes, the Bills have made a change at the backup quarterback spot tonight, keeping Manuel in street clothes in favor of Josh Johnson as the primary backup to starter Tyrod Taylor. Ideally, this will be a moot point come tomorrow morning, but it's an interesting decision nonetheless. Johnson has been with the Bills for almost exactly one month, having signed on October 13.
The rest of the inactives are not as surprising. You might be surprised to see Charles listed, especially with Williams already sidelined, but the Bills are probably planning on being spread out by Chan Gailey's offensive formations this evening - and with Mario Williams playing more inside on passing downs, it diminishes the need for a ton of defensive line depth.
Kouandjio's continued absence means that Jordan Mills will once again serve as the swing tackle behind starters Cordy Glenn and Seantrel Henderson, who is active despite a questionable designation following an illness. Ikard, Johnson, and Butler were all healthy scratches on Sunday against Miami, and their streaks continue.