CLEVELAND — Johnny Manziel’s rookie season is over for the Cleveland Browns, who may have to start rookie Connor Shaw in the season finale.
Manziel injured his hamstring in Sunday’s loss to Carolina and coach Mike Pettine said Monday that the first-round draft pick will need several weeks to recover. Manziel, making his second start, got hurt in the second quarter against the Panthers and was replaced by Brian Hoyer, who sustained a shoulder injury in the second half.
Pettine said it may be several days before the Browns know if Hoyer can play on Sunday in Baltimore.
If he can’t go, the team will turn to Shaw, an undrafted free agent, who spent the season on Cleveland’s practice squad.
Shaw will likely get the bulk of snaps in practice over the next few days and Pettine said the team is exploring bringing in another quarterback.
Hoyer started Cleveland’s first 13 games and had the Browns (7-8) in the playoff hunt before a slump forced Pettine to switch to Manziel, the high-profile former college football star. Hoyer connected with tight end Jordan Cameron on an 81-yard touchdown pass against the Panthers.
Pettine wasn’t sure exactly when Hoyer was injured, but said it came when he was hit making a long throw.
Manziel completed three of his eight passes for 32 yards before he had to come out.
The former Heisman Trophy winner didn’t exactly shine in his limited playing time, but Pettine said the 22-year-old has made progress.
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