NFL teams
Mike Rodak, ESPN Staff Writer 5y

Bills preparing to work around injured Josh Allen, who is week-to-week

NFL, Buffalo Bills

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills consider rookie quarterback Josh Allen week-to-week after he suffered a right elbow injury in Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Houston Texans.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that Allen's injury is to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow. It is not considered major at this time, but his MRI will be sent to noted orthopedist specialist Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion, which has become standard operating procedure. One of the Bills' orthopedic specialists, Dr. Leslie Bisson, completed his fellowship under Dr. Andrews. 

No other specific information has been revealed, but the Bills do not want to rush him back, sources tell Mortensen, to allow him to properly heal despite his competitive desire to play at less than full strength. 

"We're going to take it one day at a time," Bills coach Sean McDermott said Monday. Allen is undergoing appropriate treatment and therapy under the direction of Dr. Bisson and the team's medical staff.

The injury puts Allen's status for Sunday's game at the Indianapolis Colts in doubt. McDermott said he and his offensive staff will "work through" whether Nathan Peterman or Derek Anderson would replace Allen as the starter if he cannot play at the Colts.

Peterman replaced Allen in the third quarter of Sunday's game and threw a touchdown pass to give the Bills the lead. With the game later tied in the fourth quarter, Peterman was intercepted by Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph, who returned the throw for the game-winning touchdown. Peterman was intercepted again on the Bills' ensuing possession.

Despite Peterman having thrown 10 interceptions in seven regular-season and postseason appearances, McDermott continued to express confidence Monday in Peterman while leaving the door open for Anderson to take over the No. 2 quarterback job.

"I got to put the right guy out there that I feel is best for our football team," McDermott said Monday. "I understand the fans and that sentiment, but at the same time, I have to do what we feel is best for the football team moving forward."

Anderson, 35, signed with the Bills last week after spending the past seven seasons as Cam Newton's backup with the Carolina Panthers. Both McDermott and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll said Monday there is some carryover in the playbook for Anderson from when he played for a Daboll-coordinated Cleveland Browns offense in 2009.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen contributed to this report. 

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