Bills face tough choice at QB with rookie Allen out

Bills rookie Josh Allen is out indefinitely after hurting his right throwing arm and leaving Buffalo in a quandary at quarterback.

Without providing many details, coach Sean McDermott would only list Allen as being “week to week” on Monday, a day after Allen hurt his elbow in the third quarter of a 20-13 loss at Houston. McDermott said he will know more about the nature of Allen’s injury after meeting with team doctors.

The injury to the firstround draft pick leaves McDermott having to decide between having turnoverprone backup Nathan Peterman or newly signed 12year veteran Derek Anderson start in Buffalo’s game at Indianapolis on Sunday. McDermott wouldn’t provide a hint as to who would start in Allen’s place.

Peterman threw two interceptions, with his first returned for the deciding touchdown with 1:23 left against the Texans.

Including a brief playoff appearance, the secondyear player has been intercepted on 10 of his 82 career attempts. And he is best remembered for throwing five interceptions in the first half of a 54-24 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers last season.

Anderson was signed only a week ago after spending the entire offseason away from football. The 35-year-old attempted only eight passes in three appearances with Carolina last season, and hasn’t started a game in nearly two years.

The Bills (2-4) traded up five spots to select Allen with the No. 7 pick — the highest position in the draft order Buffalo has ever chosen a quarterback. Allen has a 2-3 record as a starter, but has struggled with consistency in overseeing an offense that lacks proven receivers and features a patchwork line.

Allen’s production has dropped considerably since going 18 of 33 for 245 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in his first start, a 31-20 loss to the Chargers in Week 2. Since then, he’s gone a combined 51 of 91 for 513 yards with a touchdown passing, three rushing with three interceptions and a lost fumble.

As an offense, the Bills have yet to top 300 yards this season, and have scored just 26 points in their past 14 quarters, dating to the start of the second half of a 27-6 win at Minnesota.

The Bills lured Anderson out of semiretirement last week to serve as an additional mentor for Allen. Buffalo lacked an experienced backup after trading offseason free-agent addition AJ McCarron to the Raiders on Sept. 1.

Anderson has a 20-27 record, including a 2-2 mark as a starter in spending the past seven seasons as Cam Newton’s backup in Carolina. DOLPHINS WAITING ON TANNEHILL >> With Ryan Tannehill nursing an injury to his throwing shoulder, it was uncertain whether Brock Osweiler will get another start for the Miami Dolphins.

Osweiler thrived as Tannehill’s replacement Sunday, passing for a careerhigh 380 yards and three touchdowns to help beat the Chicago Bears. Tannehill was ruled out only hours before kickoff but might return for Sunday’s home game against the Detroit Lions, coach Adam Gase said.

“Ryan is day to day,” Gase said. “We’re going to have to wait a couple of days to see if he’s feeling any better. I’ll know more when I can see him throw again.” STREATER FRACTURES NECK >> Former Raiders wide receiver Rod Streater of the Cleveland Browns suffered a neck fracture while covering a punt on Sunday and is done for the season.

Streater got hurt in the first quarter of a loss to the Chargers.

The Browns said Streater is “doing well” and team doctors expect him to make a full recovery. Streater does not need surgery at this time

BRYANT’S PAINFUL WINNER >> Falcons kicker Matt Bryant is expected to miss the next game against the New York Giants after straining his right hamstring making a 57-yard field goal that helped Atlanta snap a three-game losing streak.

Coach Dan Quinn said Monday the Falcons are going to bring in another kicker this week to fill in for Bryant. Former Raider Giorgio Tavecchio, who was with the team at the end of the preseason, is among the candidates.

The 43-year-old Bryant has connected on all nine of his field goal attempts this season, including three from at least 50 yards. LIONS PLACE AGNEW ON IR >> The Detroit Lions have put All-Pro punt returner Jamal Agnew on injured reserve because of a knee problem.

Lions coach Matt Patricia doesn’t seem to be ruling out a return for Agnew at some point this season, but Detroit will obviously be without him for a while. TORN ACL FOR VIKINGS’ HUGHES >> Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mike Hughes has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, ending a promising rookie season after six games.

BUCS MAKE A CHANGE >> Mike Smith is out as defensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, replaced by linebackers coach Mark Duffner.

The Bucs dismissed the former Atlanta Falcons coach after yielding 92 points in the first half of consecutive losses to Pittsburgh, Chicago and Atlanta.

Through five games, the Bucs (2-3) are 31st in total defense at 439.8 yards per game. They’re last in pass defense (355.6), while also allowing a league-high 34.6 points per game.