The Cleveland Browns will start Josh McCown at quarterback against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8. McCown was banged up in the team's 24-6 loss to the St. Louis Rams and eventually exited the game in the fourth quarter because of a shoulder injury, and there was a possibility that the team would have to roll with backup Johnny Manziel in Sunday's game.
Josh McCown will start vs. Cardinals
Despite a shoulder injury, Josh McCown will remain in the starting lineup for the Browns.
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Early in the game against the Rams, McCown ran into a wall on the sidelines and looked uncomfortable throwing the ball from there. He was trying to shake his arm loose for much of the remainder of the game, and left after completing 26 of 32 passes for 270 yards. He left after being sacked four times, including on the play that wound up being his last of the game.
That play also resulted in a fumble and a St. Louis recovery.
Manziel took over for McCown for the single remaining drive and completed 4 of 5 passes for 27 yards, with one carry for 5 yards. Manziel started in Week 2, a game the Browns won over the Tennessee Titans.
McCown has played well for the Browns this season. He has completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 1,686 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions while being sacked 21 times. Manziel has completed 25 of 44 passes (56.8 percent) for 381 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Manziel also has 41 rushing yards in his limited playing time.
He may not be 100 percent, but McCown will be facing a Cardinals defense that is No. 4 in total yards allowed, and No. 8 in the NFL in points allowed with 19 per game. Arizona’s secondary has allowed 1,566 yards this season, which comes out to 223.7 passing yards per game for their opponents. The Browns are 2-5 and in third place in the AFC North.
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