E.J. Manuel had minor knee surgery

Dec 1, 2013; Toronto, ON, Canada; Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel (3) rolls out during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at the Rogers Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

After missing time in his rookie year with three separate knee injuries, Buffalo Bills QB E.J. Manuel underwent a minor knee procedure recently. Manuel said Thursday that the surgery took only 20 minutes, and that he was happy to get it done so he could start rehab to be back at full strength, per ESPN Bills reporter Mike Rodak.

Manuel, who was the first quarterback taken in the 2013 NFL Draft, finished his rookie season with 11 TDs, nine picks, and a 58.8 completion percentage in 10 games. He said that he plans on wearing a knee brace next season. That figures to be a wise decision.

The knee injuries started early for Manuel in 2013. He tore his left meniscus in the preseason, forcing him to miss the final two preseason games. Then, in Week 5, Manuel sprained his right knee and went on to miss the next four games. Manuel suffered his third knee injury, a sprained left LCL, in Week 15 and missed the Bills final two games.

It’s worrisome for any player to have three separate knee injuries in one season, let alone a rookie first round pick who was drafted to be the franchise QB. Manuel has some mobility, but these injuries may force him to become strictly a pocket passer instead of the dual threat QB he was at Florida State.