The Sports Xchange

Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan has not counted out quarterback Tyrod Taylor for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

“I would not rule out Tyrod Taylor as starting this week,” Ryan told SiriusXM NFL Radio on Wednesday morning. “Although I know it’s widely reported that that’s the case. We will see, that’s a possibility. I certainly wouldn’t count Tyrod Taylor out. He did finish the game this past week. I can tell you this: He’s got heart, he’s got toughness and he’s got a lot of ability. I definitely would not rule him out.”

Ryan said Monday that Taylor was “banged up” but did not specify any injury, a day after the quarterback took several hits while rushing for 76 yards in a 14-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans. According to multiple reports Tuesday, Taylor suffered an MCL injury and could miss a couple of games.

The injury, compounded by Taylor also playing with a season-long ankle issue, led the Bills to sign journeyman Josh Johnson as the likely backup to E.J. Manuel.

Manuel became Taylor’s primary backup after Matt Cassel was traded to the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 22.

Johnson, 29, was signed and released by Indianapolis each of the past two weeks with Colts quarterback Andrew Luck missing two games due to a sore shoulder.