Johnny Manziel is expected to make his NFL debut on Sunday in the second game of the season for the Cleveland Browns, as Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that the rookie will see time against the New Orleans Saints.
Johnny Manziel expected to get playing time vs. Saints, per report
The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner is expected to make his NFL debut on Sunday.
Gregory Shamus
Manziel, 21, battled for playing time during preseason, completing 30-of-59 passes for 296 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. However, the starting job was given to veteran Brian Hoyer, and in a 30-27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hoyer tallied 230 yards passing and a touchdown, finishing the game with a 94.8 passer rating.
Still, with Josh Gordon, Jordan Cameron and Ben Tate all out of the team's Week 2 game against the Saints, the Browns have a talent deficiency and will reportedly look to the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner to provide a spark.
Via La Canfora:
The Browns feel the need to be creative and throw different looks at the Saints given the limitations of their offensive personnel, and have been working on read-option plays for Manziel all offseason. Expect to see those plays in a regular season game for the first time today, at least for a few snaps.
Manziel showed his abilities as a runner in the preseason, rushing 12 times for 88 yards, including a seven-yard touchdown run against the St. Louis Rams in Week 3 of the preseason. In two years at Texas A&M, Manziel accumulated 2,169 yards rushing with 30 touchdowns on the ground.
Kickoff for the Browns on Sunday is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET and will be televised on FOX.
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