The Cleveland Browns will have Johnny Manziel prepare as the starter for Josh McCown as the quarterback goes through the concussion protocol this week. The Browns lost to the Jets on Sunday and at running back the team had Isaiah Crowell, Duke Johnson and Shaun Draughn active, while Robert Turbin remains injured.
The Browns were mostly dominated by the Jets on Sunday and the team had to change plans early, as Josh McCown was injured on the first drive for Cleveland. McCown was scrambling and was hit hard by the Jets and he went into the locker room and did not get back onto the field, leaving Manziel to play the rest of the game. Head coach Mike Pettine said that Johnny Manziel will prepare as the starter for Sunday against the Titans and Pettine will know more on Thursday about McCown's status.
Pettine did not officially rule out McCown yet while speaking at his press conference on Monday and he left the door open for a decision on Manziel later in the week. McCown will have to go through the protocol and that means it will be Thursday or Friday when he could be cleared or not. The Browns have to go into practice with Manziel preparing as the starter just in case McCown can't go on Sunday.
Manziel started two games last season and against the Jets he went 13-of-24 for 182 yards and one touchdown and one interception with two lost fumbles. Manziel will have an easier defense playing against the Titans, but based on how Tennessee played against the Buccaneers in Week 1, it could be a tougher battle than expected. Last season Manziel played in five games and had 175 passing yards zero touchdowns, two interceptions and one rushing touchdown.
Isaiah Crowell has started off as the number one running back ahead of Duke Johnson and the team also has Draughn as a depth option for now. Turbin is dealing with an ankle injury and could be back in a month, while reports had the team connected to both Montee Ball and Ray Rice. The Browns traded Terrance West just before the season started and there is a chance the team could add a free agent now that Week 2 is just around the corner.
Crowell is the better start option for fantasy owners over Johnson, but Johnson is worth a look in deeper leagues. Crowell rushed for 20 yards on 12 carries against the Jets and he finished the game with more touches than Johnson. The Browns were down early and the rushing game never could get into a rhythm. Johnson had seven rushes for 22 yards in the game after dealing with a concussion earlier in the preseason. Turbin was acquired after the Seahawks placed the running back on waivers and Cleveland put in a claim.