Browns quarterback Josh McCown got X-rays on his ribs after Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals but would not tell reporters what those X-rays revealed, instead directing them to ask Browns coach Mike Pettine.
Monday, Pettine wouldn’t share those results. But for the second straight Monday he said the Browns will start McCown if McCown is able to play over second-year quarterback Johnny Manziel.
Pettine also said that he expects McCown to start in a short-week situation Thursday night when the Browns play in Cincinnati.
As for the thought that the 2-6 Browns should just play Manziel, Pettine said “we aren’t there yet” but said he understands the thought.
“He’s our backup,” Pettine said of Manziel. “Josh has done a great job for us.”
McCown suffered a concussion on the first series of the season and Manziel played the next seven quarters, getting his first NFL win in Week 2 against the Titans. McCown has started since but Manziel has finished the last two games due to the pounding McCown has taken. It was a shoulder injury last week and this week’s it’s the undisclosed rib issue that’s left McCown’s status as uncertain.
Pettine said Joe Haden and Donte Whitner are in the league’s concussion protocol after suffering concussions Sunday vs. Arizona and that Andrew Hawkins remains in concussion protocol after suffering a concussion Oct. 25 at St. Louis.
