AP

The Bills may not announce their starting quarterback for the season opener against the Colts until the last minute, but they’re willing to be a bit more forthcoming about their preseason plans.

Bills coach Rex Ryan said after Saturday night’s scrimmage that the plan is for Matt Cassel to take the first offensive snaps of the preseason.

“We’ll probably start Cassel in the first game against Carolina and let’s go from there,” Ryan said, via the Associated Press.

Cassel, Tyrod Taylor and EJ Manuel each led the starting offense at points during the scrimmage and the 13 points that the offense put up in 17 possessions speaks to the need for the team to show improvement on that side of the ball. Ryan complimented Manuel, who threw the only touchdown pass of the night, and said he was a “little disappointed” in Taylor. Cassel, meanwhile, is looking forward to facing the Panthers.

“Great. I hope I play the whole game, to be honest with you,” Cassel said. “I honestly would embrace the chance to start and go out there and play a little bit and get into a rhythm.”

With no one separating themselves from the pack in Buffalo to this point, the competition should rage on well beyond the first preseason outing.