Orton joins Bills as Tuel among final cuts

Aug 30, 2014 - 9:23 PM Orchard Park, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Quarterback Jeff Tuel was among the final cuts Saturday by the Buffalo Bills, who signed veteran Kyle Orton to be the backup for E.J. Manuel.

Tuel appeared in two games for the Bills last season, starting one, and completed just 26-of-59 passes for 309 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions in those outings -- a Week 5 loss to Cleveland and Week 9 setback against Kansas City.

The Bills decided on another option Saturday with the signing of Orton, who was released by Dallas in July after threatening to retire and failing to show up for the Cowboys' minicamp.

Orton, an eight-year veteran, has compiled a record of 35-35 as a starter and has thrown for 15,019 yards with 83 touchdowns and 59 interceptions in 75 games overall with Chicago, Denver, Kansas City and Dallas.

Buffalo also released wide receivers T.J. Graham and Caleb Holley, safeties Deon Broomfield and Kenny Ladler, defensive linemen Ike Igbinosun and Bryan Johnson, offensive linemen Doug Legursky and Antoine McClain, and linebacker Jimmy Gaines.

In addition, the Bills signed punter Colton Schmidt, who spent the 2014 preseason with San Francisco, after releasing Brian Moorman on Friday.