Buffalo Bills' Thad Lewis has admitted that he is still struggling with sore ribs, which has been made worse by a bout of stomach flu.
The second-string quarterback suffered his injuries during the week eight loss to the New Orleans Saints, meaning that he missed last week's defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Lewis told Buffalo Bills.com: "I'm going to tell you the worst part; I caught the stomach flu, so I was throwing up with my sore ribs. It was not cool. I couldn't sleep. I finally got a recliner sent to my room and slept on the recliner. Last week was really tough.
"One day last week I was like, 'Yeah I'm feeling better.' I was walking up to breakfast and I said, 'I'm going to take the stairs today.' A few steps up I sneezed and it brought me down to my knees. I changed my mind and took the elevator. Sneezing hurts!
"I'm an ultra-competitive person and I wanted come back bad and help my team out against the Chiefs, but I felt if I couldn't be myself I would be doing those guys an injustice. Going out there if I couldn't throw the ball the way I can throw it or run and protect myself. I just needed more time."
First-choice quarterback EJ Manuel is expected to be fit for Sunday's game with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
