When Browns coach Mike Pettine met with the media on Friday morning, he refused to offer a clear answer when he was asked who his team's starting quarterback would be on Sunday against the Steelers.
"I won't say I don't know," Pettine said. "It's just from an information standpoint, we have our plan built to be either way."
Pettine said he didn't want to name a starter because he wanted to maintain a competitive advantage, according to Cleveland.com.
Pettine might have just lost that competitive advantage though because according to ESPN.com, the Browns (2-7) are expected to start Johnny Manziel on Sunday. If Manziel's under center, it will mark his second start in a row for the team.
The second-year quarterback was also the starter during Cleveland's 31-10 loss to Cincinnati in Week 9. Manziel played well in the first half against the Bengals, but faded down the stretch and finished 15-of-33 for 168 yards in the game.
Josh McCown, who's started in eight of Cleveland's nine games this season, is battling a rib injury and was listed as questionable on the Browns final injury report on Friday. Pettine had made it clear earlier this week that McCown would start if he was healthy, which means McCown must be really hurting.
The fact that Manziel's starting shouldn't be a complete surprise. During practice this week, several Browns said they felt that Manziel had done enough to earn the start.
"We're so focused on preparation and with Johnny in there, we have to be preparing like he's the starter," right guard John Greco told Cleveland.com. "It was encouraging to see Josh [practicing] because you know he wants to be there. But I like where Johnny's been all week."
The biggest question for the Browns now is: Who's going to start for the Steelers?
Ben Roethlisberger (foot) is listed as questionable for the game and coach Mike Tomlin has given no indication of who the starter will be. If Roethlisberger can't go, then the Steelers would start Landry Jones.
"We know Ben well having gone against him a lot," Pettine said. "Knowing him, it wouldn't surprise me if he did, but we'll be prepared either way."
