ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills will start quarterback EJ Manuel against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Saturday's preseason game, coach Rex Ryan announced Thursday.

Manuel will split first-team snaps with Matt Cassel and Tyrod Taylor, although Ryan didn't disclose how he would divide playing time. Ryan expects the Bills' starters to stay on the field throughout the first half and for one series in the second half.

"Like I said from Day 1, this is a real competition," Ryan said. "My plan was to give everybody opportunities -- whether it was equal reps or whatever -- nobody can say nobody was given a fair shot here. So we've been giving it.

"I looked at it going in thinking I'd start EJ in that [intrasquad] scrimmage [Aug. 8] and we'll look at that third preseason game. But as I got to it, I thought EJ earned his shot at this. He played well in those two [preseason] games. And that [scrimmage] really wasn't like starting a preseason game. So we'll see.

"EJ, all he's gotten reps with was the [third team] and the [second team]. Now it's a shot to get reps with the ones as well. I feel good about that."

Ryan said Sunday that he could make a decision on a regular-season starter after Saturday's game, although he would try to keep that decision from becoming public.