Johnny Manziel likely to miss 3rd preseason game due to elbow issue

Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel underwent an MRI on his sore right elbow that revealed no structural damage, but the team will likely hold him out of their third preseason game, according to head coach Mike Pettine.

Manziel has been sitting out throwing drills at practice this week after leaving Sunday's team session with discomfort in his throwing arm. Pettine said the elbow issue is something that dates back to high school.

“I just see it as a minor setback,” Pettine told ESPN's Tony Grossi. “If this was something he’d never experienced before and the MRI showed something, I’d be a lot more concerned. But this being something he’s dealt with before, I’m confident if he’s shut down for just a little bit longer, that it’ll all come back.”

The coach explained Monday that the young quarterback's three-quarters delivery may be to blame for the soreness he's currently dealing with.

"At this point in his career, we're not going to try to change his throwing motion," Pettine said, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. "I think that's an advantage that he has. There are times he'll change his arm angle to make a throw.

"If you stick with your traditional throwing motion, the ball (might) get knocked down (in some situations). You've got a guy in your way, you've got an outstretched arm, you want to go ahead and drop the ball down a little bit and make a throw. So I think that's an advantage of his. We just have to be mindful of it and when he does get sore, shut him down."

Manziel is competing with veteran Josh McCown for the starting job heading into his second season. His more experienced counterpart appears to be the favorite, but indications are Manziel has made some considerable improvements to his game after a disappointing rookie year.