Jeff Tuel's ability to run the Buffalo Bills offense is not just a question of inexperience. An undrafted rookie, he for now finds himself in the temporary role of starter following Thursday's knee injury to EJ Manuel.
What was clear Friday was the Bills are on the lookout for help, which is necessary since Tuel is the only healthy QB on their roster.
Manuel will miss several weeks with a damaged knee ligament.
Immediate attention in rampant speculation turned to Josh Freeman, the deposed starter released Friday by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There are other veteran free-agents available, among them late-camp tryout Matt Leinart.
Whatever the Bills decide, the patch could be more than a temporary fix.
Thad Lewis is on the practice squad, but coach Doug Marrone said Friday there was no plan to activate him. Lewis started a game last season.
"You know, Jeff's working extremely hard, doing everything he possibly can do, and he's getting better and better each week. We like him, we really do," Marrone said at a Friday media conference.
"But we just want to make sure that we're doing our due process making sure that, is there someone else out there that's available to help us. Is there someone out there who's better?
"That's what we do with all the pieces of the puzzle, because that's our responsibility. Not only for the people that are right here, but for the fans and the organization. So we're just going through that process, he said. "If there's someone out there that's not, or we don't think is better, you know, then we'll play with Jeff or bring up Thaddeus."
Manuel injured his knee on a hit in Thursday's 37-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns. That incident had Bills players livid. Safety T.J. Brown pegged Manuel along the sideline, and center Eric Wood said a Browns player told him Manuel would be targeted.
Also as a result of Thursday's loss, the Bills released punter Shawn Powell. One of his punters was returned 79 yards for a touchdown by Travis Benjamin, who brought another back 57 yards.
In running the usual suspects, NFL.com cited veterans Vince Young, David Carr and … yep, Tim Tebow as being available.
Tuel's limited experience could keep him a backup if the Bills decide a veteran with starting experience better fits their needs. Rummaging through the culls has begun.