The Sports Xchange

Cleveland Browns starting quarterback Josh McCown is still in concussion protocol and won’t be cleared to practice until at least Friday.

Head coach Mike Pettine said Wednesday he will make a decision then on whether or not McCown will start in Sunday’s home opener against the Tennessee Titans as Johnny Manziel continues to prepare to start.

Manziel would be making his second career start, going up against fellow Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota.

Pettine said Manziel is still suffering from elbow tendinitis and will be limited in practice Wednesday.

“We’re not going to let it handcuff how we practice,” Pettine said.

McCown, 36, was injured in a 31-10 season-opening loss to the New York Jets on Sunday when he went airborne trying to vault over the goal line on a third-and-goal scramble from the 14-yard line. He was hit in the side of the helmet. He fumbled near the 1, spoiling a 16-play drive that started at the Browns’ 9, and could not continue when doctors diagnosed him with a concussion.

Asked if McCown could still start Sunday after missing most of the work leading up to the game, Pettine said, “We will be prepared either way.”

With McCown sidelined, the Browns will give No. 3 quarterback Austin Davis more reps in practice this week.

Manziel practiced very little last week except for work with the scout team. On top of that he missed the final two weeks of the preseason with a sore right elbow.

Manziel threw a 54-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Travis Benjamin on his first possession but turned it over on three of four possessions in the second half. He threw one interceptions and fumbled twice.

Manziel finished 13 of 24 for 182 yards for the Browns. He also led Cleveland in rushing with 35 yards on five scrambles.