The Sports Xchange

The Cleveland Browns are prepared to start Johnny Manziel at quarterback on Thursday night against the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals.

Veteran Josh McCown is dealing with a rib injury and Manziel is getting reps ahead of the game against the Browns’ AFC North rival in Cincinnati, NFL.com reported Tuesday.

Manziel, in his second year in the NFL, played near the end of the Browns’ loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday in his first action since leading the Browns to a 28-14 win in the second week of the season over the Tennessee Titans.

The task is made for more difficult for Manziel because of the short week of preparation for a Thursday night game against the 7-0 Bengals.

In four games this season, including the one start, Manziel has completed 28 of 50 passes for 393 yards and three touchdowns with one interception and five sacks.

The 36-year-old McCown has started seven of the Browns’ eight games this year and has connected on 65 percent of his passes for 1,897 yards and 11 touchdowns with four interceptons and a 95.2 rating. He also has 86 rushing yards and a touchdown on 18 attempts.