EJ Manuel Inactive vs. Jets: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

The confusing career of EJ Manuel continued Thursday when the Buffalo Bills listed the backup quarterback inactive for Week 10 vs. the New York Jets despite no health concerns. 

Per Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com, Josh Johnson supplanted Manuel behind starter Tyrod Taylor, who's playing in his second game back after missing consecutive tilts with a knee injury.   

Manuel was the team’s first-round draft selection in 2013 but never lived up to the hype, and he eventually lost his starting spot when Taylor emerged out of nowhere this preseason.

Yet Manuel was still considered a viable backup given Taylor’s size (6'1", 215 lbs) and running tendencies that lend themselves to injury, which is why Joe Buscaglia of WKBW noted the decision may not have been at the discretion of general manager Doug Whaley:

Adding perplexity is that the Bills signed Johnson on Oct. 13 essentially as insurance for Taylor’s injury. But perhaps Buffalo had seen enough of Manuel in his two-game audition of sorts—he completed 61.9 percent of his passes for 280.5 yards per contest with three touchdowns and three interceptions.

The fact Manuel was snubbed despite being healthy prompted speculation about his long-term future from Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com and Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post:

"

EJ Manuel is inactive tonight, will spend the time getting ready for the NFL veterans combine next spring.

— Bart Hubbuch (@BartHubbuch) November 13, 2015"

The Bills’ playoff hopes likely rest with a wild card at the season’s halfway mark, with the division-leading New England Patriots still unbeaten. Buffalo will have a shot with a healthy Taylor, but that’s not necessarily assured given his injury history and tendencies. In theory, Thursday’s decision on the backup could have a larger effect than at face value.