Things continue to go from bad to worse for the Cleveland Browns. In desperate need of a win, the team is turning to Johnny Manziel to start at the quarterback position, but it remains to be seen who will join him on the field as injuries pile up. After having four receivers inactive for Week 13, it could be much of the same on Sunday when the team plays the San Francisco 49ers. As a result, Terrelle Pryor could see his first bout of action.
According to head coach Mike Pettine via May Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns might have no other option but to activate Pryor to the wide receiver role as injuries pile up. The quarterback turned receiver has yet to see any regular season action at the position since making the move in the offseason, but the Browns have so many injuries at the moment that they need Pryor healthy and on the field.
As of right now, Travis Benjamin is likely out for Week 14 after suffering a shoulder injury against the Cincinnati Bengals. Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel are still dealing with concussions as Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports they have not been cleared to play. Dwayne Bowe has also been inactive for much of the time. That leaves the Browns with Gary Barnidge and Brian Hartline as their lone healthy threats on the field. Pryor is needed.
The run game will be a priority for the Browns in Week 14. Both Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson have done their parts this season as both rushers will see plenty of time on the field against the 49ers. Crowell has done well as the down-field guy putting up 62 yards against the Bengals while Johnson has been the more versatile threat. Manziel could find success relying on short passes to Johnson instead of deep threats to Pryor.
This game is important for Manziel. The quarterback needs to show something in order to stick around in Cleveland. Pettine noted the Browns were watching the quarterback closely both on and off the field. A win or at least a good game against the 49ers could help his chances of sticking around passed this season. However, a bad performance will only lead to more trade and release talk.
"It comes down to pride," Manziel said, via ABCNews.com. "If people have pride in what they do and their craft. I'm completely bunkered in for these last four weeks and will come in every day and give every ounce of energy to try to win these last four games."
