When practice resumes Wednesday, the Browns will plan as if Johnny Manziel will be their starting quarterback Sunday in the team's home opener at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Browns coach Mike Pettine wasn't able to provide much of an update Monday on veteran Josh McCown, who is going through the league's concussion protocol after taking a hard hit near the end of Sunday's first quarter.
"In an ideal situation, Josh would be back at the end of the week but we have to plan otherwise, meaning he won't be available at least early for practice," Pettine said. "We will have to see how it plays out. Johnny will get, early in the week, the starting quarterback reps."
McCown was in the Browns facility Monday, as he attended meetings and watched film of the Browns' 31-10 loss to the New York Jets. He completed 5-of-8 passes for 49 yards and ran for 23 on a clock-draining, 17-play, 90-yard drive that ended when he was hit hard by two Jets and fumbled at the goal line.
DL Danny Shelton heads out to the field for pregame warmups
K Travis Coons Takes some practice kicks in pregame warmups
DL Danny Shelton heads out to the field for pregame warmups
DL Randy Starks loosens up in pregame warmups
LB Karlos Dansby participates in pregame stretches
RB Isaiah Crowell particpates in pregame stretches
DB Joe Haden communicates with the Browns coaching staff before the game
Former RB Jim Brown watches the Cleveland Browns warm up before the game
QB Josh McCown throws a pass before an NFL football game against the New York Jets
Backup QB Johnny Manziel throws a pass before an NFL football game against the New York Jets
Cleveland Browns QB Josh McCown throws a pass during the first half of the game
Cleveland Browns' Craig Robertson (53) and Donte Whitner (31) tackle New York RB Jets' Chris Ivory
RB Isaiah Crowell rushes the ball in the first half of the game
DB Joe Haden makes a tackle along the Browns' sideline
LB Karlos Dansby calls out defensive adjustments furing the first half of the game
DB Tramon Williams and DB K'Waun Williams talking defensive schemes in the first half of the game
Head Coach Mike Pettine
QB Johnny Manziel snaps the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets
QB Johnny Manziel throws a pass for a touchdown during the first half of the game
QB Johnny Manziel celebrates with teammates Isaiah Crowell (34) and Andrew Hawkins (16) after throwing a touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin
QB Johnny Manziel reacts after throwing a touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin
WR Travis Benjamin (11) catches a pass on his way to a touchdown during the first half
WR Travis Benjamin scores a touchdown in the first half of the game
QB Johnny Manziel and WR Travis Benjamin reacts to the touchdown throw
DB Joe Haden on the field during the first half of the game
LB Craig Robertson reacts after making an open field tackle on special teams
Cleveland Browns offensive line involved in a play during the second half
DL Danny Shelton awaits the next defensive play
LB Paul Kruger hits New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick as he throws a pass during the game
Browns defense hits Jets' QB Ryan Fitzpatrick trying to recover a high snap
C Alex Mack calls out offensive adjustments for the offensive line
Browns special teams on the line
Browns' defense piles on to stop the Jets' running back
RB Shaun Draugh receives a kickoff in the endzone
A lone Browns fan cheers in Metlife Stadium
McCown was diagnosed with a concussion by the midpoint of the second quarter. Manziel took his place and finished the game, completing 13-of-24 passes for 182 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also fumbled twice while rushing for a team-high 35 yards.
If McCown clears protocol before the end of the week, Pettine said he'd make a decision on the starter at that point in time.
Pettine said the game plan was not downsized when Manziel took the reins early in the second quarter. He got off to a fast start, as he overcame a holding call on third down by promptly connecting with Travis Benjamin on a 54-yard touchdown pass, the first of his career. It would ultimately be the high point, though, as the Jets tightened up and repeatedly forced Manziel out of the pocket and into some unsavory situations.
"I think there was an instance or two where I thought he could have stuck with the read and I think part of it was he saw a gain in front of him and went ahead and took it," Pettine said. "There were a couple where I thought they were text book. He got positive yardage and slid down and we were ready for the next play. There was the one for sure where he took the real big hit on was not necessary, especially in light of Josh was already down for the game."
Pettine, who was critical of some of McCown's scrambling decisions during the preseason, did not second-guess the veteran's decision to dive for the end zone and, subsequently, take such a hard hit.
"How do you tell him different? Had that been at the 10-yard line or midfield, more than likely he probably would have slid," Pettine said. "We're that close to the end zone. If he had held onto the ball, helicoptered in and we had won the game, we're carrying him off the field -- in the good way."
