Manziel says no surgery needed

Associated Press

BEREA

Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel has dealt with a sore right arm since before he lifted the Heisman Trophy.

Manziel, who hasn’t thrown a pass in practice since Aug. 23 because of elbow soreness and tendinitis, said those issues date back to his freshman year at Texas A&M — when he made a dazzling play almost every game for the Aggies. The 22-year-old is confident that rest will help his elbow and the issue won’t derail his NFL career.

“I’m really not concerned about it at all,” he said following Tuesday’s practice.

However, he and the Browns were alarmed enough to seek second opinions, and they reached out to famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews to make sure they were taking the correct course of action. The Browns believe treatment and rest should alleviate the soreness, and Manziel said he has been told surgery isn’t necessary.

“No, this is an injury, that from everything I’ve heard, no matter what the case it wouldn’t require that (surgery),” he said. “It’s just sore, just a little bit of overthrowing and I’m making sure I’m icing and doing what I need to do.”

The Browns have limited him to just handing off during practice and they shut down Manziel from playing in the team’s final two exhibitions. If he had been healthy, Manziel would have taken some snaps with Cleveland’s starters against Tampa Bay and would have likely started this Thursday’s game in Chicago. Not being able to get on the field has been frustrating.

The injury has also slowed the positive momentum Manziel has built since the offseason. He has impressed the Browns with his commitment following a rough rookie year, which was followed by a 10-week stay at in a Pennsylvania rehab facility specializing in drug and alcohol addiction.

Manziel feels he should be able to resume throwing next week and that the added rest will allow him to be ready for the Sep. 13 season opener against the New York Jets.

TAYLOR, KITCHEN CUT

The Browns cut big Phil Taylor and swallowed his beefy contract.

A first-round pick in 2011, Taylor was released Tuesday by Cleveland in a surprising move that included the Browns having to pay him a guaranteed $5.5 million. The 6-foot-3, 335-pound Taylor underwent two knee surgeries last year and has been limited during training camp and the exhibition season.

Cardinal Mooney graduate Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, a defensive tackle from Kent State, also was released.

His recovery wasn’t going as well as expected — he played 11 snaps in last week’s win over Tampa Bay — and the Browns feel good enough about the depth on their defensive line to release a player who was once considered a potential cornerstone. Also, the quick development of rookie Danny Shelton, a first-round pick this season, made Taylor expendable.

Pettine said Taylor’s contract was not a factor in the decision.

The Browns also released fullback Luke Lundy and kicker Carey Spear.