Bills turn to Barkley with Allen still injured

The Buffalo Bills are going with newly signed journeyman Matt Barkley as their starting quarterback, rather than provide turnover-prone Nathan Peterman another chance.

The Bills ruled out injured rookie Josh Allen on Saturday and announced Barkley is expected to start against the New York Jets today. Barkley gets the nod ahead of Peterman despite having just two weeks of practice experience since signing Oct. 30.

Barkley, a former star at Mater Dei High and USC, will become the fourth quarterback to start for the team this season, and third in three weeks. It will be his first start in two years since going 1-5 with the Chicago Bears in 2016.

Allen will miss his fourth straight game since spraining his right throwing elbow in a 20-13 loss at Houston on Oct. 14. The firstround pick practiced on a limited basis this week and will get additional time to recuperate with Buffalo entering its bye week after playing the Jets.

The Bills also announced starting rookie middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds has been cleared to play after missing one game with a concussion. They also promoted receiver Robert Foster from the practice squad and released linebacker Ramon Humber.

Buffalo (2-7) has lost four straight and is off to its worst start since losing eight of its first nine games in 2010.

The game between the two AFC East teams will feature a matchup of backups rather than first-round picks.

The Jets (3-6) are starting 39-year-old Josh McCown with rookie Sam Darnold sidelined by a strained right foot. Darnold was drafted third overall, four spots ahead of Allen. SAINTS PUT BRYANT ON IR >> Dez Bryant’s season is over THOMAS HIT HARD BY LEAGUE >> New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas has been fined $30,000 by the NFL for using a phone as a prop for a touchdown celebration in last week’s victory over the Rams.

Thomas emulated former Saints wideout Joe Horn with his celebration, hiding the phone in the bottom of the goal post and pulling it out after scoring. He was fined for that and having a mobile device in the bench area.

Also fined was Carolina defensive tackle Vernon Butler, whose hit on Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick cost him a hefty $40,110.

Three players were docked $26,739: Ravens safety Eric Weddle for a hit on a defenseless receiver; Chargers rookie safety Derwin James for unnecessary roughness; and Texans safety Tyrann Mathieu (helmet-to-helmet hit).

SHORT YARDAGE >> The New York Jets have signed quarterback Davis Webb from the practice squad and placed tight end Neal Sterling on season-ending injured reserve.