As Browns Duke Johnson Jr. continues to receive treatment, coach Mike Pettine has continued his correspondence with the quarterback. On Tuesday, Pettine provided an update to reporters from the owners meetings in Phoenix.
When asked if Manziel would be a participant in Cleveland's first phase of OTAs, beginning on April 20, Pettine said he did. But the organization is fully prepared to give Manziel as much time as he needs.
"The feedback has been good," Pettine said of his conversations with Manziel. "And again, I spoke on this before and this is a private matter. I don't have a set date for when he's coming back. And when he is back, it will be full-speed ahead.
"I think he's very anxious (to get back to football) at this point. We'll be prepared, as we will with every other player: When they get back into town, we're going to coach the heck out of them."
During his rookie season, the Texas A&M alum completed 18-for-35 passes for 175 yards and two interceptions. Manziel added 29 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown.
Manziel entered treatment on Jan. 28 and while keeping the situation as private as possible, Pettine has made one thing clear: This is about getting Manziel's life back in order.
"Football, and I've said this before, is a backseat," Pettine said. "For his football life to get it where it needs to be, then he needs to get the personal life where it needs to be. That's where we are."
