While The Cleveland Browns have yet to name their starting quarterback for their Sunday road game at Heinz Field against the Pittsburgh Steelers, it’s already starting to look like Johnny Manziel will be the one under center for them.
According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer veteran quarterback Josh McCown (ribs) is not practicing on Tuesday. McCown, who missed the Browns Week 9 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, suffered his rib injury midway through the fourth quarter of the team’s 34-20 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8. Prior to leaving that game, McCown had completed 18 of his 34 pass attempts for 211 yards with 3 touchdowns and one interception. Two of those three scoring passes went to wide receiver Brian Hartline, who also missed the Browns game against the Bengals with a concussion. Hartline is reportedly practicing on Wednesday, however.
Against the Bengals, Manziel completed 15 of his 33 pass attempts in the game for 168 yards with one touchdown to running back Duke Johnson. He also led the Browns offense on 10 play, 92 yard drive for that lone offensive touchdown.
In related news, Tom Withers of the Associated Press is reporting that Browns cornerback Joe Haden, safety Donte Whitner, defensive lineman Armonty Bryant and guard Joel Bitonio are also sitting out the team’s Wednesday practice session that is open to the media. Haden and Whitner both sat out the Bengals game with concussions. As for Bitonio, who left the game against the Bengals in the first half with an ankle injury and did not return.
The Browns first official practice report for the week won’t be released until Wednesday.
