Report: 'Very good' chance Manziel starts second preseason game

There is a "very good chance" Johnny Manziel will be the starter for the Browns' second preseason game against the Washington Redskins. Though incumbent starter Brian Hoyer will begin the preseason as the starter at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, it may not be long before rookie Manziel takes over.

There is a "very good chance" Johnny Manziel will be the starter for the Browns' second preseason game against the Washington Redskins, according to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com.

Though incumbent starter Brian Hoyer will begin the preseason as the starter at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, it may not be long before rookie Manziel takes over.

The game against Washington is on Aug. 18. 

Browns coach Mike Pettine said Manziel will primarily work with the backups during the team's first preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Aug. 8. 

More: Browns report: QB competition and questions on the receiving end

The Browns selected Manziel, a former Heisman Trophy winner out of Texas A&M, with the No. 22 pick in this year's draft. Though Manziel is listed as the second-string QB on Cleveland's first unofficial depth chart, he has been taking some training camp reps with the starters. 

Pettine has said he plans to choose his regular season starter by the team's third preseason game, against St. Louis on Aug. 23. Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LaBeau said he expects Manziel to be the starter when the two teams open the regular season on Sept. 7. 

[Ross Tucker]

- Alex Hampl