The news was far from unexpected, but Kevin Kolb, who was suffering from concussion-like symptoms after taking a blow to the back of the head in Saturday's preseason game at Washington was officially diagnosed with a concussion and is out indefinitely.
"Obviously he has a concussion and there's a protocol and he's following that," said head coach Doug Marrone. "I do think with the concussion he'll be out for some time."
The protocol includes baseline testing among other tests to better assess the quarterback's current condition. For Kolb it's his third officially diagnosed concussion in the past four seasons.
Marrone made a point of refuting reports that Kolb's latest concussion had the quarterback thinking about ending his football career.
"The alarming thing to me was the report that was out there that he might not ever play again," said Marrone. "I had a conversation with Kevin this morning and he's not even near close to that process of making that type of decision. He's told me that he has not even discussed or thought about not playing anymore. He's not even in that thought process right now. He's really in the process of clearing up the concussion."
Marrone: concussion confirmed for Kevin Kolb. Speculation on threat to career did not come from Kolb. Focused on recovery first. — Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) August 26, 2013
When asked if the injured reserve eligible to return designation would be used on Kolb, Marrone said it is being considered.
"We're waiting to see where the protocol goes and talk to him and that's a day-to-day thing that we have to make a decision on before the final cut," Marrone said.
Under the I-R eligible to return rules, a player cannot be designated until after 4 pm the Tuesday after the roster is reduced to 53 players, which is Sept. 3rd.
With Kolb out for the foreseeable future and EJ Manuel still not cleared for practice, Buffalo has turned to Jeff Tuel, who will serve as the interim starter with new signee Matt Leinart and Thad Lewis, acquired in a trade with Detroit Sunday, behind him on the depth chart.
