Five days ago, Matt Leinart wasn’t even an active NFL player. Tonight he’s a starter.

In an announcement that demonstrates both how ugly Buffalo’s quarterback situation is and how meaningless the fourth week of the preseason is, the Bills announced that Leinart will start at quarterback for them tonight in the preseason finale against the Lions.

The Bills are desperate at quarterback because both of the players who were competing to start, EJ Manuel and Kevin Kolb, are recovering from injuries. Jeff Tuel, an undrafted rookie, is expected to open the regular season as the Bills’ starter. Presumably, the Bills are sitting Tuel tonight to avoid yet another injury.

The Bills also have quarterback Thaddeus Lewis on the roster, and he is expected to come on in place of Leinart at some point during the exhibition game.