Browns quarterback Austin Davis will start against Bengals

Austin Davis will start at quarterback for the Browns this weekend against the Bengals over Johnny Manziel, head coach Mike Pettine announced Monday.

Austin Davis will start at quarterback for the Browns this weekend against the Bengals over Johnny Manziel, head coach Mike Pettine announced Wednesday.

“Austin took advantage of his opportunity on Monday night. He was prepared, played well and put us in position to win,” Pettine said. “He’s been great in the quarterback room all season and he has earned the right to start on Sunday. We expect him to play well.”

Davis replaced Josh McCown on Monday night when the starter suffered a season-ending collarbone fracture. Manziel had been demoted to third on the depth chart after Pettine expressed concerns about photos and videos of Manziel partying during the team’s bye week. 

Pettine says the QB decision is for this week. He told the QBs the same. #Browns

— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) December 2, 2015

Davis was 7–of–10 for 77 yards and a game-tying touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter of Monday’s game. 

Davis started eight games for the Rams last season, going 3–5 while completing 63.4% of his passes for 2,001 yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

- Dan Gartland