National Football League

Hoyer to start in Browns' second preseason game against Redskins

Published Aug. 14, 2014 4:36 p.m. ET

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Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer will start the team’s second preseason game on Monday night against the Washington Redskins, head coach Mike Pettine announced Thursday afternoon.

“It’s just something right now where we are comfortable with Brian going out there to start the game,” Pettine said. “I think it’s a little overblown as to who the starter is going to be. The key component, as I’ve stated earlier this week, is that we are going to balance the reps. We will play it a little by ear as it goes on, we haven’t truly decided as far as the rotation but the goal is, for when we look at the stat sheet at halftime, that they both have the same amount of repetitions and hopefully they both get a good amount of work.”

Hoyer, who worked exclusively with the first-team offense against the Lions last Saturday, completed 6 of 14 passes for 92 yards.

While Manziel took over midway through the second quarter, he piloted four drives, which set the team up in scoring position twice. The rookie quarterback finished 7 of 11 through the air for 63 yards and led the team with 27 rushing yards, despite playing behind a leaky offensive line and an inconsistent group of pass catchers.

Pettine has noted earlier this preseason that he hopes to have a full-time starter named before the team’s third preseason game against the Rams on Aug. 23.