Brian Hoyer will start the Cleveland Browns preseason opener against the Detroit Lions on Saturday -- that much we already knew. On Thursday, confirmation came that rookie first-round pick Johnny Manziel wouldn't be getting any time with the first team in the game, according to Kevin Jones of the team website.
Johnny Manziel won’t play with 1st team at all in preseason opener
Johnny Manziel won’t get any time with the starters in the preseason opener against the Detroit Lions. We break down the fantasy implications.
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Hoyer and Manziel are battling for the starting quarterback job, and Hoyer is currently ahead due to his strong play last season. The situation isn’t too surprising -- if the Browns are still evaluating, then they want Hoyer to get plenty of playing time. Keeping the starters in for long enough to get a good look at Manziel isn’t generally something that happens in the first preseason game.
Fantasy Impact: Neither Hoyer nor Manziel is a particularly strong fantasy option this season, especially if Josh Gordon’s suspension isn’t reversed. But if you’re set on getting one of these guys as a backup, then you likely won’t know for sure which is the best option until after the third preseason game.
There’s a strong chance Manziel starts the second preseason game, and then the two will split time in the third. The Browns have stated they’d like to announce a starter at that point. Hoyer has definitely looked better in practice, but this should be interesting regardless.
