NFL Week 10: Starting quarterbacks could return

Buffalo quarterback EJ Manuel could be coming back.

Philadelphia quarterback Nick Foles should be coming back.

Manuel, who has sat out a month with a sprained knee ligament, might be ready to return for the Bills’ game Sunday at Pittsburgh.

By all rights, Foles should be starting for the Eagles, considering he tied an NFL record Sunday with seven touchdown passes in a victory over Oakland. But Philadelphia Coach Chip Kelly declined to name a starter Monday for the upcoming game at Green Bay.

“It’s going to be based on health,� Kelly said. “We’ll see.�

Because Michael Vick is the only injured quarterback on the roster — he’s on the mend from a strained hamstring — Kelly didn’t need to clarify his comment. The coach has a habit of being coy; he hasn’t named a starter for the next game since training camp.

Another possible returning starter is Chicago’s Jay Cutler. According to an ESPN report, he’s aiming to return early from his groin injury to face Detroit at home.

The replacements

Two stand-in head coaches are likely to make their debuts Sunday.

Jack Del Rio, Denver’s interim while John Fox recovers from heart surgery, will be both head coach and defensive coordinator when the Broncos play at San Diego.

The status of Houston’s Gary Kubiak is unclear. He was hospitalized for a second night Monday after falling ill at halftime of Sunday night’s game against Indianapolis. If Kubiak is unavailable for Sunday’s game at Arizona, Wade Phillips will take over for him.

Bouncing back

When Buffalo plays at Pittsburgh, we’ll see which team is the best rebounder.

The Steelers showed a flicker of hope Sunday against New England, overcoming a 14-point deficit to tie the Patriots in the third quarter. But Pittsburgh was blown out in the fourth and lost, 55-31.

The Bills are coming off a 23-13 loss to undefeated Kansas City in which the Chiefs pulled away with two defensive touchdowns.

“I’m freaking going to… I’m [ticked],� Buffalo Coach Doug Marrone said after the loss. “I’m going to use this type of energy, and I’m going to go home. I’m not going to talk to anybody. I’m just going to shut it down, be by myself. I’m not going to pet my dog. I’m going to get fired up…

“I’m going to be a pro. I’m going to be a man.�

[email protected]