Jeff Tuel "surprised" by starting role

Buffalo Bills quarterback Jeff Tuel has admitted that he was "surprised" at being informed that he is likely to start the regular season opener.

The Bills currently have a discernible lack of fit quarterbacks on their roster, with both EJ Manuel and Kevin Kolb currently sidelined with knee and head injuries respectively.

That led Buffalo coach Doug Marrone to name Tuel as the next in line to start the first match of the season against the New England Patriots on September 8, and the undrafted rookie believes that it would be an honour to lead his side.

"That's cool. It would definitely be an honour if that's the case. I'm surprised that I'm the first, but if that's the case it's a cool thing," Tuel told the team's official website.

Tuel replaced Kolb following the veteran's injury in a pre-season match against the Washington Redskins on Saturday and went 10-for-17 for 63 yards.