Cleveland Browns

Johnny Football time: Manziel replaces injured McCown, throws TD

Published Sep. 13, 2015 1:47 p.m. ET

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Johnny Manziel's 2015 debut has arrived much sooner than anticipated, and he is already delivering. 

Starting Browns quarterback Josh McCown is out for the game after taking a hard hit at the end of Cleveland's opening drive Sunday against the Jets. McCown was sprinting toward the end zone when he was hit while diving for the goal line, knocking the ball loose for a Jets touchback. McCown was 5 of 8 for 49 yards as the Browns drove 90 yards and ate up nearly 10 minutes of clock.

Manziel, who has been sidelined since Aug. 23 with tendinitis in his throwing elbow, led the Browns to a touchdown on his first possession with a long pass to Travis Benjamin for a 54-yard touchdown. It was the first career touchdown pass for Manziel.

That touchdown gave Cleveland a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter, but it all went downhill from there. The Jets went on to win 31-10 and coaxed an interception and two fumbles out of Manziel.

"First and foremost," Manziel said, "you can't turn the ball over."

Manziel finished 13 of 24 for 182 yards, including his touchdown to Benjamin. He also led the Browns with 35 yards rushing on five carries.

"Obviously, the second half leaves a bitter taste in your mouth," Manziel said. "We'll see what happens this next week."

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