Toronto Star

NFL: Bills team with questions but few answers

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WATFORD, ENGLAND— Percy Harvin is a question mark no one seems to be able to answer.

The Buffalo Bills receiver, who sat out last week’s game with a hip injury, did not travel to London with the rest of the team for what coach Rex Ryan has said was for personal reasons. Bills general manager Doug Whaley didn’t offer much more insight into the situation on Friday.

“Still just a personal reason that he’s out and we’ll address it as soon as we get some more answers on him,” Whaley said at the team’s practice facility north of London. “It’s just not strictly injury related.”

The Bills (3-3) have been severely hampered by injuries, including to defensive tackle Kyle Williams and quarterbac­k Tyrod Taylor. Ryan said backup quarterbac­k EJ Manuel will start Sunday at Wembley Stadium against the Jacksonvil­le Jaguars (1-5).

Taylor practised on Wednesday, but sat out Thursday because his left knee was still sore. With the Bills having a bye next week, like all teams get after playing in London, Taylor will have an extra week off to heal.

The Bills have been struggling. They have lost three straight home games, including a 34-21 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals last week with Manuel taking the snaps.

On Friday, Ryan said Manuel was a different type of quarterbac­k than Taylor but was doing a “terrific” job.

“He doesn’t have that kind of speed or elusivenes­s, but we can still do the same things schematica­lly with either quarterbac­k,” Ryan said.

Besides the problems with the ball, the Bills’ defence has also been struggling and has so far failed to play up to its high-priced expectatio­ns. And the injury to Williams is a big problem for a team already missing starting safety Aaron Williams, who is out until at least December because of a neck injury.

Others injured and won’t play Sunday include running back Karlos Williams (concussion), tackle Seantrel Henderson (concussion) and receiver Sammy Watkins (ankle).

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