Cleveland Browns’ Josh McCown a game-time decision

Sep 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) and Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) during the pre game warmups for their game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns may not know for sure who their starting quarterback will be against the Arizona Cardinals until game time on Sunday.

That’s the word from head coach Mike Pettine, who said starting quarterback Josh McCown is still dealing with shoulder and rib injuries suffered last week at the hands of the St. Louis Rams.

“(Josh) took less than his full share (in practice today). It’s still truly day-to-day,” Pettine said on Friday. “We’ll see where he is tomorrow. Quarterbacks typically do some light throwing on Saturdays. The passing time is helpful with him, but it’ll still likely go right up to the game.

“The passing time is helpful with him, but it’ll still likely go right up to the game.” – Head coach Mike Pettine on Johnny Manziel

“We’re always dealing in circumstances like that, and that’s just stuff that you have to learn to operate, deal with things like that. It was good that Johnny Manziel got the full rack on Wednesday and some plays yesterday and today so we’ll see.”

If McCown can’t go, or if the coaching staff has doubts about his recovery, it may be better to just start Manziel, rather than have him come off the bench if McCown gives it a try and can’t make it.

When Manziel had to relieve McCown in the season opener against the New York Jets he was ineffective. Following an opening touchdown drive, the Browns offense under Manziel had eight drives and only put up three points. They punted twice, turned the ball over three times (an interception and a pair of Manziel fumbles), and had a series end with a turnover on downs.

The following week against Tennessee, when Manziel had worked with the starting offense during practice, was better, if still inconsistent, for Manziel. After going four-of-four on the two opening scoring drives of the game, Manziel was just three-of-10 between the second drive of the game and the final one, when he hit wide receiver Travis Benjamin with a touchdown pass.

It’s a small sample size, for sure, and it may not make much of a difference as the Browns are facing an Arizona defense that is fourth overall in the league and seventh against the pass.

No matter which quarterback plays, offensive coordinator John DeFilippo said the offense is ready to roll.

“We hold high expectations for all of our quarterbacks. If Johnny has to go in, I thought Johnny had a really nice day of practice yesterday,” DeFilippo said on Thursday. “The tempo was good in and out of the huddle. He hadn’t missed a beat from when he was practicing against Tennessee.

“With Josh, if it were a second- or third-year quarterback without the reps, I would be a little bit more concerned, but Josh has had almost all the one reps since training camp so that doesn’t concern me too much.”

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While the quarterback situation remains in a state of flux for the next 48 hours or so, the Browns know they will be without wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (concussion), safety Jordan Poyer (shoulder) and tight end Rob Housler.

The absences of Hawkins and Housler may create an opportunity to wide receiver Dwayne Bowe and tight end E.J. Bibbs to see the active roster against the Cardinals.

“The longer (Dwayne’s) gotten away from the injury, the better he’s gotten. That’s why we’re confident if his number’s called that he’ll be productive,” Pettine said. “For Dwayne, the weeks he’s been inactive, it’s been because of the numbers games.”

As for the other injured players, cornerback Joe Haden is probable after missing the past two games with a concussion; safety Tashaun Gipson is questionable after missing the past three games with an ankle injury; and linebacker Craig Robertson, who hasn’t played since the Oakland game, is questionable with an ankle injury.

Next: Browns to debut orange jerseys on Sunday

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