Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

Browns’ Hoyer takes over for injured Manziel at QB

Johnny Manziel

Chuck Burton / AP

The Cleveland Browns’ Johnny Manziel, second from left, is helped off the field after being injured in the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Brian Hoyer took over at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns after Johnny Manziel left Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers in the second quarter with a left hamstring injury.

Manziel emerged from the locker room after halftime still in uniform, but Hoyer started Cleveland's opening drive of the third quarter while Manziel sat on the bench.

The Browns listed Manziel's return as questionable.

Manziel was injured in the final two minutes of the first half when he rolled out to his left side, and linebacker Luke Kuechly and safety Colin Jones converged on the rookie and took him to the ground. He attempted to get up and then fell back down.

Trainers looked briefly at Manziel's left leg behind the bench and then took him to the locker room. Manziel walked in with a towel draped over his head but did not appear to be limping.

He emerged after halftime with the towel still over his head.

The Browns were losing 10-3 at the time of the injury.

Manziel, who struggled in his first start last week against Cincinnati, wasn't having much success against Carolina either. He 3 of 8 for 32 yards and ran twice for 3 yards before the injury. The Browns were outgained 206-68 in the first half and Carolina had 15 first downs to Cleveland's two.

The Browns (7-7) were eliminated from playoff contention Saturday when San Diego defeated San Francisco.

Carolina is still fighting for a playoff spot.

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