The Sports Xchange

Quarterback Johnny Manziel has no structural damage on his sore right elbow but is unlikely to play Saturday night in the Cleveland Browns’ third preseason game.

Head coach Mike Pettine said Wednesday that Manziel had an MRI on his elbow and the exam revealed no damage.

“We just wanted to confirm there was nothing structural, and that is the case,” Pettine said. “The MRI was certainly a positive result.

“He’s still experiencing a little soreness. It hasn’t bounced back. Err on side of caution. Could he play (Saturday) if he had to? More than likely he could. But why do that in the preseason?”

Pettine sees this issue as “a minor setback.”

Manziel rested his sore right arm in the portion of Wednesday’s practice open to the media. Reporters are only permitted to watch the first 30 minutes of practice because the team has shifted from training camp to the schedule the Browns will use during the regular season.

Manziel used only his left arm in throwing during warmups in the second consecutive practice he did not throw. He caught short tosses using only his left hand and took part in drills where he handed off to backs.

Manziel did not throw at practice Monday, and Tuesday was an off day for the Browns.

“It hasn’t come back as quickly as we had hoped,” Pettine said. “To be cautious, we didn’t want to rush him back now for a preseason game and have it be something that is chronic.”

Thad Lewis worked with Cleveland’s second-team offense after starter Josh McCown got in some work with the first unit.

In nine possessions in two preseason games, Manziel has one passing touchdown and one rushing TD. He has completed 17-of-29 (58.6 percent) for 160 yards with no interceptions.

Pettine was asked Monday if the coaches considered changing Manziel’s throwing mechanics due to his three-quarter release.

“No I just think at this point in his career we are not going to try to change his throwing motion,” Pettine said Monday. “I think that is an advantage he has. There are times where he will change his arm angle to make a throw. If you stick with your traditional throwing motion the ball is either going to get knocked down, you have a guy in your way, you have an outstretched arm — you want to go and drop the ball down a little bit and make a throw. I think that is an advantage of his. We just have to be mindful of it and when he does get sore, shut him down.”