Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown has been ruled out for Week 9's matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, the team announced.
Josh McCown ruled out Thursday night for Browns, fantasy owners
Johnny Manziel will start on Thursday night in place of the injured Josh McCown. We break down the fantasy implications.
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It would have been difficult to imagine McCown taking the field on a short week after adding a rib injury to his list of ailments on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. McCown also powered through a shoulder injury that he suffered in Week 7, and even with a matchup against divisional opponent on the horizon, the Browns will go with Manziel instead of McCown on Thursday night.
Fantasy impact: Anyone who watched a Texas A&M game with Manziel under center understands the excitement surrounding the second-year quarterback, but the reality is there's a long way to go before his potential at the professional level is realized. For Week 9, he faces a Bengals' defense that has allowed just three passing touchdowns over the last four games, and the values of Travis Benjamin and Gary Barnidge can be downgraded as a result.
Manziel can be penned in as a low-end QB2 in leagues that start two quarterbacks, but should remain on benches in standard formats.
