Browns veteran quarterback Josh McCown is out for the season with a fractured collar bone.
Browns coach Mike Pettine called the injury "the worst possible scenario" but said McCown would not require surgery because the bone was not displaced.
"That is very unfortunate. Josh means a lot to this team, whether it was in the locker room, practice field or game day," Pettine said. "Just the positive energy that he exuded, the leadership – I just cannot say enough positive things about Josh McCown and what he has done for this football team and what he means to this football team."
Pettine said he had yet to make a decision on his starting quarterback for Sunday's game against Cincinnati, but would announce it soon. He'll be deciding between Austin Davis, who relieved McCown on Monday, and Johnny Manziel, who has three starts this season.
"We are going to discuss it more and determine our best course of action moving forward," Pettine said. "We are going to take everything into consideration and then make a decision for this week that is best for the team."
McCown, in his eighth start of the season, suffered the injury late in the third quarter of Cleveland's 33-27 loss to the Ravens. He tried to play through the pain on the following series but was ultimately pulled in favor of Davis after two plays.
McCown, who battled multiple injuries throughout the season and missed the previous two games with injured ribs, finishes 182-of-292 for 2,109 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions.
"Probably one of the toughest guys that I've ever played with," Davis said. "You pretty much have to drag him off the field. His arm was falling off, and he went back out there and tried to keep fighting and keep playing. He's also helped me a ton to get where I am in this offense and learning it. Just wish the best for him. Hope he gets healthy."
