Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has revealed that Jeff Tuel is currently the number one choice to start their opening match of the regular season at quarterback.

The Bills have been blighted by injuries in the position, with rookie EJ Manuel undergoing minor knee surgery before back-up quarterback Kevin Kolb suffered a potentially career-ending head injury during a pre-season match against the Washington Redskins.

Marrone had brought in Matt Leinart and Thaddeus Lewis as cover for the injured duo, but confirmed that undrafted rookie Tuel would start the season opener against the New England Patriots if Manuel does not recover in time.

"Right now we're planning on Jeff Tuel playing the first game and we're working with EJ to get back as quickly as possible, meaning New England," Marrone told reporters, according to the team's official website.

"Right now that's how we're going about planning on doing it until we know more about where EJ is."

Should Tuel start, it is believed that he will become the first undrafted rookie quarterback to start the opening match of an NFL season in the common draft era, which began in 1967.