Buffalo Bills quarterback Kevin Kolb has sympathised with rookie EJ Manuel following the injury that will keep him out for the rest of pre-season.

Manuel was drafted in to challenge Kolb for a starting spot, but now looks likely to have to wait for a chance after undergoing minor knee surgery.

"I think the first thing is whenever you're progressing the way you want to progress and then you have a setback, I felt like that happened to me a little bit," Kolb told the club's official website.

"I'm sure he feels like that's happening to him a little bit because he had two good games under his belt. I can't put words in his mouth, but that can be a little bit frustrating."

Kolb, 28, signed for the Bills from Arizona Cardinals over the summer.