Buffalo Bills QB Nathan Peterman might have to start Sunday vs. Bears

Through the first eight games of the season, the Buffalo Bills have started three different quarterbacks that were spurred on by changes of differing degrees. And it appears, should the Bills not get good news on a shortened week with Derek Anderson, that Nathan Peterman is in line to make his second start of the 2018 season this Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

The Bills announced that Anderson, the starter over the last two games for the Bills, was entered into the concussion protocol -- which puts his availability for Sunday's game in doubt with only five days to go. The first step for Anderson will be to pass through the first stage, and if he does, he can resume practicing on a limited basis. 

At that point, Anderson would need to pass another test with doctors after participating in practice(s) before ultimately being cleared to return to both practice fully and as a potential participant in a game. With all of the steps that players need to go through to pass through the protocol, having only five days complicates the process for Week Nine.

In addition to Anderson's status, the Bills declared rookie quarterback Josh Allen out for the third straight week, and are still calling him 'week-to-week' with an elbow sprain on his throwing arm. The Bills did add that they feel Allen is progressing well but has yet to throw a ball at this point in his recovery.

If Anderson cannot play, the Bills might also have to add a quarterback to the roster to back up Nathan Peterman on Sunday vs. the Bears. Though, the team did confirm that wide receiver Terrelle Pryor is on his way back to Buffalo to meet with the organization after a workout on Monday. Pryor has also played quarterback in the NFL, after starring at the position at Ohio State University.

[Update: Pryor has signed with the Bills officially, and is listed as a wide receiver.]

Though Peterman has struggled he is the last Bills quarterback to throw a touchdown pass, when he found wide receiver Zay Jones in the end zone against Houston more than two games ago. Peterman then threw two interceptions to clinch the game for Houston, including the game-winning pick-six to cornerback Jonathan Joseph.

In addition, the Bills will host free agent quarterback Matt Barkley on a visit on Wednesday according to Peter Schrager of FOXSports.com. Barkley, should he sign, would serve as Peterman's backup on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

The Bills begin practice on Wednesday before they host the Bears at New Era Field on Sunday.

Twitter: @JoeBuscaglia

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