Browns quarterback Josh McCown suffered a broken collarbone in Monday night's loss to the Ravens, Cleveland.com reported.
He will be shut down for the rest of the season, leaving the Browns with a decision to make at the quarterback position. The obvious answer would have been Johnny Manziel. He was named Cleveland's starting quarterback two weeks ago before a video of him partying surfaced.
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Manziel lied about the video being old and was demoted to third-string QB for Monday's game. Austin Davis, who the Browns signed in the offseason, filled in Monday when McCown exited, completing seven of 10 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown.
So who starts next week? Davis or Manziel. Coach Mike Pettine didn't answer that question when asked Monday night.
Pettine on if he'd stick with Davis over Manziel: "we'll watch the tape tomorrow. I'm not prepared to answer that right now" @Browns
— Tony Zarrella (@TonyZ19) December 1, 2015With the Browns sitting at 2-9, their playoffs hopes are dim to nonexistent. If they were still in the hunt, they might go to Manziel. But with the season essentially over, the Browns need to decide how long Manziel will be punished for lying to the team.
Pettine and the front office could send a strong message by keeping Davis as the starting quarterback. He's not an entirely bad option, either. The 26-year-old showed some promise last season with the Rams and gave the Browns enough confidence in training camp to earn a two-year contract extension.
Austin Davis on Josh McCown: His arm was falling off. He kept playing, kept fighting.
— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) December 1, 2015