Cleveland Browns coach Mike Pettine admitted that uncertainty about Johnny Manziel's elbow causes him "angst" with the season opener nine days away.
"Any time your backup is coming off of an injury and you're not exactly sure when he's going to be 100 percent, there's reason for angst," Pettine said Friday in a conference call. "We really take into account the report from the trainers, and we'll factor that in to how we lay out the 53."
Manziel has not thrown a football since Aug. 23, though Pettine said he expects that to happen soon and the backup quarterback is "on schedule" as he comes back from elbow tendinitis.
Manziel started his program by throwing a tennis ball, then progressed to a weighted ball that the coach said is heavier than a tennis ball but lighter than a football.
"He's going through his rehab protocol," Pettine said. "We expect him to be throwing a football soon, if not today."
Manziel did not throw in practice for one day on Aug. 11 because of right elbow tendinitis. When the issue returned Aug. 23, Manziel was shut down late in practice. He has not thrown a football since.
The uncertainty about Manziel makes for plenty of questions about the team's roster. If the team could keep just two quarterbacks, it would have the flexibility to add a Josh Lenz to the roster. If Manziel's elbow forced the team to keep three quarterbacks, someone else has to go.
Pettine said no decision has yet been made on whether to keep two or three quarterbacks.
As for other noteworthy players ...
Receiver Dwayne Bowe was not in danger of being released going into the preseason finale. Bowe's spot seems secure.
Receiver Terrelle Pryor's roster spot is "to be determined," the coach said. Pettine repeated that Pryor would be a projection even if he had stayed healthy through the preseason.
Receiver Josh Lenz has a chance to be on the 53. "We think a lot of Josh," Pettine said. "He's just come in and done everything that we've asked him. He gets open. He catches the football. He's very productive. He's made the most of his opportunity."
Isaiah Crowell appears slated to be the starting running back. Terrance West, Pettine said, still needs to be more consistent.
Pettine said the team is settled on "the vast majority" of the roster, but added it could change in the first few days of next week.
