NFL Player News

Mike Pettine has revealed that the starting quarterback battle between Browns incumbent Brian Hoyer and rookie Johnny Manziel could be won and lost by Tuesday.

Hoyer is set to start the Monday night preseason game in Washington, but Manziel is slated to receive an equal number of reps with the first team. The decision as to who starts in Week 1 in Pittsburgh is likely to come down the following day.

"I'm sure we'll sit down at some point next week, maybe more than likely later in the day on Tuesday and get our heads together and wee what we come up with," Pettine told 92.3 The Fan. He added that the decision will be based on more than just game action, though that will be heavily factored in.

"We've been able to evaluate the quarterbacks literally with everything they've done," he added. "How they are in the meeting room, how they are on the practice field, how they are when they're doing their individual period, how they are in the 7 on 7 and how they are in the team work."

Neither quarterback distinguished himself in the preseason opener against Detroit, though both were plagued by drops from a receiving corps that remains the biggest concern of the offense.

Browns coach Mike Pettine said Thursday quarterback Brian Hoyer will start Monday's preseason game against the Redskins. However, he and Johnny Manziel will get equal reps, according to the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.

The Browns plan to start quarterback Brian Hoyer over Johnny Manziel during the team's second preseason game Monday at Washington, a source told NFL.com. Hoyer also started the first preseason game against the Lions.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said Thursday there is a chance quarterback Matt Cassel will play the entire first half during Saturday's preseason game against the Cardinals. Cassel is battling with rookie Teddy Bridgewater for the starting quarterback job.

The Houston Chronicle quelled speculation that became rampant Wednesday, stating emphatically that the Texans "won't be trading" for Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer. Earlier, Browns coach Mike Pettine also denied the rumors.

Browns coach Mike Pettine dismissed rumors that the team is trying to trade quarterback Brian Hoyer, possibly to the Texans, as mere "stories."

"We’re not going to comment on every story that’s out there," Pettine said. "We made a move to strengthen our quarterback room, and you just get these stories coming out. I don’t want to be in the habit of commenting on all of them. I really addressed that situation yesterday."

The Browns signed quarterback Rex Grossman on Tuesday and waived quarterback Tyler Thigpen.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who sat out the preseason opener, likely will play Saturday against the Rams and again in the third preseason game. "That's usually how it goes," McCarthy said.

McCarthy didn't say how much Rodgers would play.

Browns coach Mike Pettine has not announced which quarterback will start Monday's game against the Redskins. But he said rookie Johnny Manziel and Brian Hoyer will get equal or almost equal snaps with the starters, reports the Akron Beacon Journal.

After Brian Hoyer got the first reps with the starters Monday, Browns rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel opened with the first team Tuesday, reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Manziel's first pass was intercepted when top cornerback Joe Haden snatched the ball out of receiver Anthony Armstrong's hands.

Coach Mike Pettine has not announced which quarterback will start Monday against the Redskins.

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill said offensive coordinator Bill Lazor has adjusted his footwork and it's made a big difference.

"It’s helped me get the ball out faster, have more velocity on some of my throws, and just be more consistent,” Tannehill told the Miami Herald. "Some of the incompletions I’ve had in the past are due to inconsistent footwork. That was his big key coming in to say: 'Hey, we’re going to get your feet right and then everything else will take care of itself.'"