THE BROWNS
The Johnny Manziel era in Cleveland will have to pause at least until next year’s preseason games. Manziel injured his hamstring in Sunday’s 17-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Brian Hoyer, who started all but two games for the Browns (7-8) this season, is also questionable with an injured shoulder. Because of that, Cleveland has signed former South Carolina QB Connor Shaw to its active roster from the practice squad.
Manziel’s inglorious rookie season ends with 18 completions, 175 yards, no touchdowns, two picks and a passer rating of 42.0. Maziel left Sunday’s game after starting 3-for-8. Manziel did rush for one touchdown in a 26-10 loss to the Bills.
THE CARDINALS
With Drew Stanton still out with a right knee injury and an ineffective Ryan Lindely all but surrendering the NFC West title Sunday, the Cardinals (11-4) will start rookie quarterback Logan Thomas against the 49ers in the regular season finale. The former Virginia Tech star has seen action in just two games this season. Arizona picked Thomas in the fourth round of the 2014 draft.
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians made the announcement in a radio interview with KMVP-FM, saying, “I think we need to find out what he (Thomas) can do,” Arians said. “For the future and the playoffs if it were to come to that. And that’s my job to make sure we cover every base.”
In his two appearances, Thomas has completed one pass, but it was for an 81-yard touchdown to Andre Ellington.
THE BEARS
The Jimmy Clausen experiment in Chicago (5-10) ends after a single week, with the team looking to Jay Cutler returning under center for their Week 17 game against the Vikings. The team reported that Clausen experienced delayed symptoms from a concussion and will be held out.
Bears coach Marc Trestman offered a lukewarm endorsement of Cutler at his Monday press conference.
“Jay is our best option,” Trestman said. “Jay gives us the best chance this week. So that’s why he’ll be out there.”
Clausen wasn’t a disaster against the Lions in a 20-14 loss, throwing two touchdowns with one interception.
After signing a $126 million contract extension in the offseason, Cutler’s fortunes, along with the Bears’ have tumbled, though the nine-year veteran’s numbers aren’t significantly different than any other in his tenure. Cutler’s 89.5 QB rating is actually 0.3 points higher than his rating last year. In fact, rating-wise, Cutler’s 2013 and 2014 are the most effective of his career.
