BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel did not throw a pass during practice Monday due to a sore right elbow, an injury that could have been caused by his side-armed throwing motion.

Manziel’s elbow flared up during practice on Sunday and the Browns had the quarterback rest his arm Monday. Manziel only handed off and stood to the side and watched as Josh McCown and Thad Lewis threw passes .

Manziel has been bothered by soreness in the elbow for the past two weeks. Coach Mike Pettine said the second-year QB, who has shown major improvement this summer, did not undergo an MRI and the team believes rest should ease the soreness. The Browns are not practicing Tuesday.

Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo said he’s not concerned at the moment about Manziel’s elbow injury being a long-term condition.

“Johnny has probably got what 30 or 40 percent of the other quarterbacks in the league have right now – sore elbows, sore shoulders,” he said. “There’s a lot of wear and tear on those guys in terms of their arm. Those guys have been throwing footballs since they’ve been young guys.”

DeFilippo said Manziel’s elbow issues may be related to the way he throws.

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“You see him three-quarters at times, and sometimes that’s a lot of pressure on the elbow and shoulder,” he said. “I won’t say it’s the wrong way to throw a football because I’ve seen a lot of successful quarterbacks throw the ball like that.”

Manziel played well in Cleveland’s exhibition loss to Buffalo on Thursday night. He threw a touchdown pass to cap a 96-yard drive and the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner kept his momentum headed in a positive direction following a turbulent rookie season and rehab stint.

Although veteran Josh McCown is expected to start the season opener for Cleveland, Manziel has renewed hope he can become the Browns’ long-term answer at quarterback.

“I think you see a different quarterback. I really do,” DeFilippo said. “I think his overall understanding of the game and what we’re trying to do has changed drastically. He understands protections. He’s making the calls.”


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