Cleveland Browns: What We've Learned Through Week 3 of Preseason

With two preseason games in the books and two ahead, the Cleveland Browns are rapidly marching toward the start of the 2015 regular season. But there are still unsettled positional battles taking place, and the roster is not yet set at 53 men. There is still work being done and news to report out of Berea.

Here's the latest Browns news of note heading into their third week of preseason action.

Johnny Manziel Shut Down for Rest of Preseason; Browns Sign QB Pat Devlin

David Richard/Associated Press

Browns backup quarterback Johnny Manziel has been dealing with soreness in his throwing elbow, and though an MRI has revealed no structural damage and Manziel has been managing the issue since high school, the Browns are not rushing things along. Instead, head coach Mike Pettine said on Thursday that Manziel would be shut down for Cleveland's final two preseason games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears.

Pettine, relayed by Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan, said, "Just given the short week and not wanting to put him out there against Chicago, I could see he'll just be down for the next two." 

Because the Browns don't have much quarterback depth without Manziel, and with Connor Shaw also sidelined with a thumb injury, the team signed Pat Devlin on Thursday. Devlin won't appear in Saturday's game given the preparation time is so slim, but he should take part in the team's final preseason game the following Thursday.

Josh McCown is expected to play at least the entire first half against Tampa Bay, and then Thaddeus Lewis will handle quarterback duties for the rest of the contest.

WR Terrelle Pryor to Debut on Saturday

David Richard/Associated Press

The long-awaited debut of Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor will take place against the Buccaneers on Saturday. Pryor, who suffered a hamstring strain at the beginning of training camp, has practiced twice this week and is ready to play in his first game at his new position.

Head coach Mike Pettine, relayed by Scout.com's Fred Greetham, said on Thursday that "We want to see how [Pryor] responds to the team reps he took in practice." Pettine did note he was set to meet with head athletic trainer Joe Sheehan to get the final word on whether Pryor will play and how much time he'll be able to handle.

The Browns are not thin at the receiver position, and Pryor is behind in his development because of his injury. If he's going to stick on the roster, he will have to stand out, beginning on Saturday. Expect to see him working with quarterback Thaddeus Lewis and not Josh McCown in the game.

RB Duke Johnson's Status

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

Rookie Browns running back Duke Johnson has been sidelined since the beginning of the month with a hamstring injury. But after a few days of practice to his name this week, he's ready to make his preseason debut and could make an impact right away.

Head coach Mike Pettine said to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that, "His legs looked fresh. I am not sure who he beat on the inside post—he looks explosive." Johnson has been on a pitch count in practice, something that could carry over to Saturday's game. Pettine did note on Thursday, reported by Scout.com, that "We've gradually ramped up his reps." Therefore, Johnson could also see that pitch count fade away by the time Saturday's game kicks off.

Johnson's skill set has caused the Browns to develop plays especially for him. He can catch passes just as well as he can run the ball, and that versatility can add explosiveness to an offense that needs a spark. Hopefully, that spark emerges on Saturday and Johnson has no setbacks as far as his hamstring is concerned.

Injury Updates

Ron Schwane/Associated Press

According to Fred Greetham of Scout.com, defensive linemen Phil Taylor (knee) and Ishmaa'ily Kitchen (groin) were on the stationary bikes on Thursday, along with offensive lineman Michael Bowie (shoulder), cornerback Justin Gilbert (hip), cornerback K'Waun Williams (abdominals) and defensive back Robert Nelson (hamstring).

Meanwhile, fullback Luke Lundy (concussion), safety Jordan Poyer (concussion), quarterback Connor Shaw (thumb), linebacker Barkevious Mingo (knee), tight end Randall Telfer (foot), running back Glenn Winston (knee) and cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (knee) did not practice.

Head coach Mike Pettine said to the team's official site following Thursday's practice that cornerback Joe Haden and safety Tashaun Gipson are expected to play on Saturday. He also noted that Williams' oblique strain "is just a time thing," adding that, "If it was the regular season, he probably could have gone, but we just don’t want to make it worse in a time when we can get it to quiet down."

Of Taylor, Pettine said that it was all about making him as comfortable as possible. He also added, "With guys coming off of serious injuries like that, you really leave it up to them. How does it feel? If it doesn't feel right, we are not going to force them, especially this time of year."

The good news, though, is that many key starters are working their way back from their respective injuries. Barring more occurring, the Browns are heading toward full strength as Week 1 approaches.

It's Dress Rehearsal Time

Ron Schwane/Associated Press

The third preseason game is traditionally viewed as a dress rehearsal for the regular season. Starters get the most playing time of the summer, and the coaching staff comes as close to actually game-planning against an opponent as it gets in the preseason.

This means we'll be seeing an extended look at the Josh McCown-helmed first-team Browns offense, as well as a longer peek at the second-year iteration of Mike Pettine and Jim O'Neil's Cleveland defense.

Pettine discussed the starters' playing time during Thursday's press conference and revealed they don't entirely know exactly how long the first-team units will play:

"

We are going to meet as a staff and decide if there are certain players we want to extend into the third quarter. We will see. With some of the units, it will depend on the number of plays they get. If one side of the ball, if the play count is very lopsided offensively or defensively either way, we could make that decision in game to go ahead and extend them.

"

Regardless, he said thereafter, "We are going to tell them to be prepared, all of them, to be prepared to go into the second half, and if it happens, it happens." 

What will be interesting to see is if Pettine and O'Neil get more creative on defense in order to get the better of rookie Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston. A "welcome to the NFL" moment could be on the docket for Winston. It will also be worth watching whether McCown can bounce back from his dismal performance against the Buffalo Bills last time out.