Johnny Manziel Injury: Updates on Browns QB's Elbow and Return

Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel is active for Week 1 despite recently "experiencing soreness in his right throwing elbow," according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Northeast Ohio Media Group.

The soreness forced him to leave practice early on Aug. 22, and he did not play for the remainder of the preseason. However, prior to Week 1, Manziel returned to practice, clearing the way for him to be ready for the game against the New York Jets.

"There was some soreness, but that was natural," head coach Mike Pettine said on Sept. 9, per Pat McManamon of ESPN. "That was the most he had thrown and it was expected."

Tony Grossi of ESPN provided word of Manziel's action at practice on Sept. 7 and noted the second-year quarterback's throws lacked "zip."

Manziel spoke to the media on Sept. 1 regarding the soreness in his throwing elbow and said he is doing "really well" but has tendinitis, something he's dealt with since his first year at Texas A&M, according to Cabot.

The second-year quarterback went on to claim less throwing during training camp helped manage the soreness, adding "I'm not concerned at all," via Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan. Despite that lack of concern, Manziel did reach out to Dr. James Andrews to ensure he was on the road to recovery, as noted by Cabot.

Manziel added that no doctor at any point advised surgery and said that rest should help ease the soreness he's experiencing, via Andrew Gribble of the team's official site.

As a rookie, Manziel attempted only 35 passes for 175 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions, but during his Texas A&M days, he won a Heisman Trophy and thrilled fans on a weekly basis with his ability to improvise and make plays with his arm and legs.

In his two preseason games, he's done more of the same, completing 17 of his 29 pass attempts for 160 yards and one touchdown while also rushing for a touchdown. 

Manziel is looking to make a difference this preseason and possibly take the starting spot from 13-year veteran Josh McCown. However, McCown is more than capable of keeping a team afloat. As a member of the Chicago Bears in 2013, he did just that when Jay Cutler was hurt. McCown threw for 1,829 yards, 13 touchdowns and a single interception that season, leading the Bears into playoff contention.

Still, the hope in Cleveland is that Manziel represents the future at the quarterback position. That is what the Browns had in mind when they used a first-round draft pick on the former Texas A&M star in 2014, but he must show more consistency before he takes the reins as the team's starter.