Bills' Ryan: Playing Taylor was a 'stupid decision'

With the Buffalo Bills hit hard by injuries, head coach Rex Ryan opted to rest a host of starters in the third preseason game Friday against the Washington Redskins.

Tyrod Taylor, however, wasn't among them, with the quarterback playing the first two possessions of the 21-16 loss before Ryan pulled him.

After Taylor took a sack and another punishing hit, Ryan questioned whether he should have even allowed him to play.

"I'm doing what's best for our team," Ryan told the team's television broadcast at halftime, according to ESPN's Mike Rodak. "We want to show up at the starting game of the regular season."

"Looks like a stupid decision to play him," Ryan continued, "because I never expected him to get hit."

EJ Manuel was forced to play the rest of the game, as rookie Cardale Jones was out with shoulder soreness.

LeSean McCoy, Charles Clay, Jerry Hughes, Stephon Gilmore, and Ronald Darby were among the veteran players who sat out.

After Ryan admitted his mistake, it's likely Taylor won't see a single snap in the final preseason game.