The Buffalo Bills have placed quarterback Matt Barkley on the injured reserve list.
The roster designation came as the team was cutting their roster down to 53 players. It was announced by the Bills shortly after the NFL’s 4 p.m. roster deadline.
The move leaves Kyle Allen, who signed this offseason, as Josh Allen’s primary backup.
Barkley and Kyle Allen were in a quarterback competition to earn the position behind Josh Allen, however, Barkley sustained an elbow injury on the final snap he took in Buffalo’s second of three preseason games this summer. He missed the third due to the injury.
Without Barkley, one now has to wonder where the Bills find a third quarterback. It was previously suspected that Barkley could be the team’s QB3 on the practice squad as he was in the past.
The Bills will likely add another either on their roster or practice squad, sooner rather than later. The coaching staff will want to acquire a player fast so they can have ample time to learn the offense and playbook in case they are called into action.
There’s also the possibility that the team and Barkley reach and injury settlement, releasing him from the IR list and allowing him to sign with a team when he’s healthy. If Barkley remains on injured reserve, his season is over.
Bills Wire will continue to bring roster updates throughout the 2023 season.
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