Tyrod Taylor injury update: Taylor ruled out, EJ Manuel to start for Bills vs Bengals

This week, Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan has played a bit of cat-and-mouse on the injury front as they host the 5-0 Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Wide receivers Sammy Watkins and Percy Harvin have been in and out of practice, as has running back LeSean McCoy, but most eyes have been monitoring the progress of quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

Last week against the Tennessee Titans, Taylor suffered what's been called a knee ligament strain, but still gutted it out as he led his team to a 14-13 victory. Per SB Nation and via Albert Breer of the NFL Network, Taylor has been ruled out this week against the Bengals.

Buffalo has had quarterback issues since Jim Kelly retired, but Taylor has given the Bills a bit of a spark this year, leading the club to a 3-2 start. He beat out both EJ Manuel and Matt Cassell for the starting job and has used both his arm and legs to make plays. Manuel will now get the start against Cincinnati in his stead.

Taylor has ten touchdowns on the season (nine passing, one rushing), against just four interceptions in 2015. In his three-year career, Manuel has 2,810 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. It will be his 15th career start when he takes the field this Sunday.

Watkins tipped the club's hand a bit earlier in the week by proclaiming that Manuel is "going to have a monster game" against the Bengals. While Bills fans might not be excited about the prospect of Manuel starting, the chess game Ryan has played this week might pay dividends, as the Bengals might have been unsure who to prep for.