The Sports Xchange

Cleveland Browns backup quarterback Connor Shaw suffered a broken right thumb in the preseason opener and will undergo surgery this week.

In Thursday night’s preseason game against the Washington Redskins, Shaw sustained an injury to his thumb. He completed 5 of 10 passes for 64 yards in the third and fourth quarters.

Shaw doesn’t know how he broke the thumb, according to Cleveland.com. Shaw thinks he either fell on it or hit a helmet with the thumb.

The Browns announced Sunday that Shaw is expected to miss an extended period of time.

“I feel for Connor because he has worked extremely hard,” Browns head coach Mike Pettine said. “He’s a competitor and has had a great offseason and a good camp so far. He is good for the quarterback room and it’s unfortunate that this injury won’t allow him to compete.”

Shaw signed with the Browns last season as an undrafted rookie out of South Carolina. He spent the first 15 weeks on the practice squad and started the season finale against the Baltimore Ravens, completing 14 of 28 for 177 yards with one interception.

Josh McCown has been designated the starter for the Browns, ahead of Johnny Manziel. Shaw’s injury leaves Thad Lewis as the lone third-team quarterback on the roster.