Josh McCown is in the NFL concussion protocol, meaning the Browns will prepare as if Johnny Manziel will be their starting quarterback in Week Two vs. the Titans.
Browns coach Mike Pettine told reporters Monday he won’t rule McCown out but “even in an ideal situation where Josh would be back later in the week, we have to prepare [otherwise].”
Tuesday is the usual players’ day off, and the Browns will begin on-field preparations for the Titans Wednesday. Pettine said he’ll have a decision to make if McCown is cleared Thursday or Friday but he sounded as if that’s not a certainty, though McCown was at the Browns’ facility Monday morning watching film.
McCown was injured on the first drive of the season opener vs. the Jets while trying to extend the ball over the goal line on a scramble. Manziel played the rest of the way, throwing his first career touchdown pass in the second quarter and then leading a field goal drive, but Manziel turned the ball over three times and the Browns were shut out in the second half.
Manziel started two games last December. The Browns were shut out in the first and he was injured in the second quarter of the second. He’s shown improvement this season but missed the final two preseason games due to a sore elbow, and his first snap against the Jets was his first snap with the No. 1 offense this summer.