The Cincinnati Bengals will be facing a new starting quarterback this week when they head to Cleveland to take on the Browns in Round 2 of the Battle of Ohio.
Advertisement
As for who will back up Davis on Sunday, that will be the infamous Johnny Manziel, who started vs the Bengals in Week 9, but is still being disciplined by the Browns for his actions during the team’s bye week.
The Browns have also placed quarterback Josh McCown on injured reserve with a broken collarbone.
Davis entered Monday night’s game with 8:29 left and completed seven of 10 passes for 77 yards.
In a surprising turn of events, Austin Davis will get the start at quarterback on Sunday. His maturity and reliability made him a much better option than the other two quarterbacks in Cleveland.
As fate would have it, Josh McCown suffered a season-ending injury, and Austin Davis came in to throw the tying touchdown (before the field goal block madness that ended the game).
Within a couple of days, though, Pettine and offensive coordinator John DeFilippo said they could envision Manziel playing again for the Browns this season.
“Given where we are, it’s safe to say now this is a weekly decision”.
“I don’t want to get into the punishment and length of it (for Manziel). So Austin’s the guy for this week”. “I feel like there are so many people that are counting on you and looking at you to play well”, he said. “We’re going to take everything into consideration and then make a decision for this week that is best for the team”. “We’ll see what they can do”, he said.
Manziel, who spent part of the offseason in a rehab facility specializing in alcohol and drug abuse treatment, is 1-2 as a starter this season.
Pettine demoted him to third string, saying the 22-year-old had violated the team’s trust.
The Browns did sign Terrelle Pryor to the roster as either a receiver or potentially a No. 3 quarterback. Re-signing with the Browns would give him another opportunity to prove he can be a capable wide receiver at the next level after several up-and-down stints under center with a few different teams. Benjamin has 54 receptions for 826 yards this season and has scored five touchdowns.
Advertisement
Coons’ potential game-winner from 51 yards was deflected by Urban, who was making his National Football League debut after missing his rookie season with a knee injury and then tearing a biceps in training camp.
