ORCHARD PARK, NY - Josh Allen started training camp primarily working with the third team offense but ever since his NFL debut in the Bills first preseason game, he's moved up.
He ended camp working with the second team offense and even started the second quarter against the Browns. And now, he'll start the third game, which is considered a dress rehearsal for the regular season, against the Bengals.
The Bills announced the decision on Monday night leading up to the game to give Allen the full experience of what it is like to be the starter.
"It’s sticking with, the most part, our plan and our evaluation to this point. Announcing it, we really wanted for him to go through a routine of what it would be like for a normal, regular season week dealing with the potential distractions and all that goes with the quarterback position and learning how to balance that. AJ’s been through that before, naturally. Nate’s been through it as well, so this was an opportunity as well for Josh for his first time," head coach Sean McDermott said on Wednesday before practice.
As part of treating this like a regular season week, Allen will work with the first team offense in practice.
"He certainly has earned most of, I hope, everything we do here. He’s had a good camp to this point and this is all part of the plan. Part of the process at this point in terms of the stage of his development," McDermott said.
As for the other quarterbacks, A.J. McCarron returned to practice on Wednesday but was limited. He's still dealing with soreness from that right shoulder injury he suffered against the Browns.
The Bills host the Bengals on Sunday, August 26th at 4 p.m.
