BY DAN BEGNOCHE
Buffalo Bills quarterback Kevin Kolb can't catch a break.
Recently returning from a fluke knee injury, the Bills were hoping to get Kolb a solid amount of snaps Saturday with rookie E.J. Manuel on the sidelines with a knee injury of his own.
The seven-year vet lasted less than a quarter, sustaining a potential concussion on the team's second offensive drive and leaving the game after only four pass attempts in Buffalo's eventual 30-7 loss to the Washington Redskins.
The injury is yet another step backward for the 29-year-old Kolb, who was hoping to prove he could stay healthy enough to earn the starting signal-caller role for the Bills this offseason. The setback will likely keep Kolb on the sidelines for Buffalo's game against the Lions on Thursday, though no official word on his condition has been released.
"All I know now are concussion-like symptoms," Marrone said after the game. "I am just waiting to hear from the doctors."
While the loss puts Kolb's chances at a roster spot significantly lower, it gave former Washington State standout Jeff Tuel nearly a full game of experience. And though the offense struggled as a whole to keep Washington's defense at bay, the youngster continued to show his ability to avoid big mistakes, going 10-for-17 for 63 yards without an interception.
In his three preseason games thus far, Tuel has shown a surprising amount of poise, carrying a 72 percent completion rate and a quarterback rating of 97. And while much of Tuel's time on the field has been against second- and third-string defenses, his consistency will be much needed if injury woes at the position continue.
According to Chris Brown of buffalobills.com, coach Doug Marrone and the team will bring in another body at the QB position sometime this week so that they can be fully stocked for the Bills' final preseason match-up against Detroit. Via the Associated Press, Matt Leinart and John Beck are two of those hopefuls set to work out this week.
Marrone also pegged utility man Brad Smith as another player to see some snaps this week at practice.
Buffalo's final preseason game will kick off at 7 p.m. Thursday at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
