National Football League

Browns' Manziel cuts practice short due to sore right elbow

Published Aug. 23, 2015 3:24 p.m. ET

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BEREA, Ohio (AP) Johnny Manziel's climb has been slowed by a sore elbow.

The Browns' backup quarterback, who has made major strides on and off the field, cut his practice short Sunday after experiencing soreness in his right elbow - an issue that briefly sidelined him earlier in training camp.

After completing a pass Sunday, Manziel came to the sideline and pointed toward his elbow. Browns coach Mike Pettine signaled that Manziel's day was over and said afterward that the second-year QB could be held out Monday. The team has a scheduled day off Tuesday.

''He started to get a little sore,'' Pettine said. ''We might rest him and then he has an off day coming up. I wouldn't be surprised tomorrow if we shut him down. Just depends on how it feels.''

Manziel sat out practice on Aug. 11 with a sore elbow, but played two nights later in an exhibition against Washington. Pettine doesn't believe Manziel's elbow issue will be ''a long-term thing,'' and at this point isn't worried about the injury lingering.

''If the trainer tells me I need to be concerned and it is a long-term thing and not just a usage thing, then I will be concerned,'' he said.

Manziel continued to build on what has been a solid training camp and preseason by throwing a touchdown pass in Thursday's loss to Buffalo. Working against the Bills' second- and third-stringers, Manziel completed 10 of 18 passes - he started 9 of 11 - for 118 yards and a TD. He was sacked once, ran three times for 19 yards and capped an 11-play, 96-yard scoring with a 21-yard TD pass to rookie wide receiver Shane Wynn.

The Browns have been pleased with Manziel's progress, but he's still listed as the team's No. 2 quarterback behind Josh McCown, who is expected to start the season opener against the New York Jets.

Cleveland recently lost quarterback Connor Shaw to a serious thumb injury, and if Manziel can't practice, Pettine said quarterbacks coach Kevin O'Connell may have to throw in some practice drills.

Browns Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas isn't overly concerned about the club missing Manziel in the short-term.

''Not really,'' Thomas said. ''He's the backup quarterback. I think we're all pretty comfortable with Josh being the starter, and we don't really see that changing unless Josh got hurt. Then I'd be a little bit more worried.''

McCown is looking to bounce back from an uneven performance against the Bills. He threw interceptions to end Cleveland's first two drives before leading the Browns to a field goal. He'll be facing his former teammates when the Browns visit Tampa Bay on Saturday night.

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