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Josh McCown, Ben Roethlisberger still might play in Browns-Steelers game

Rolled off five consecutive wins for the first time since 2009 and they badly need a sixth against the Ravens on Sunday.

Rolled off five consecutive wins for the first time since 2009 and they badly need a sixth against the Ravens on Sunday.

(Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press)
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Cleveland Browns coach Mike Pettine is keeping his starting quarterback a secret — even from the quarterbacks.

Pettine wouldn’t reveal whether Josh McCown or Johnny Manziel will start on Sunday when the Browns visit the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are playing their own guessing game with an injured Ben Roethlisberger.

With McCown still limited by injured ribs, Manziel took the majority of snaps with Cleveland’s starting offense this week in practice.

Meanwhile, the Steelers have not completely ruled out playing Ben Roethlisberger this against the Browns. The Steelers listed the veteran quarterback Friday as questionable for Sunday’s game.

Roethlisberger left with a left foot sprain in the fourth quarter of last weekend’s win over the Oakland Raiders.

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On Tuesday, Coach Mike Tomlin said the door was “slightly ajar” for Roethlisberger to play Sunday, but he said the Steelers would prepare as if backup Landry Jones would start at quarterback.

Meanwhile, starting linebacker James Harrison has been declared out of Sunday’s game along with linebacker Terence Garvin, tight end Matt Spaeth and safety Shamarko Thomas. All have knee injuries.

Surgery for Jets’ Fitzpatrick and Stacy

Friday was a busy day for the New York Jets in the operating room.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick had a torn ligament in his left thumb repaired and running back Zac Stacy had season-ending surgery on his broken left ankle.

Coach Todd Bowles said during a conference call that Fitzpatrick is still on track to return for the Jets’ next game at Houston on Nov. 22.

Fitzpatrick tore the ulnar collateral ligament in the thumb on his non-throwing hand at Oakland on Nov. 1 and played through it in two games while wearing a brace. With a break after New York’s 22-17 loss to Buffalo on Thursday night, Fitzpatrick opted to have the procedure now instead of after the season.

Fitzpatrick’s injury is expected to take several weeks to heal, but he and the Jets are confident he’ll be able to continue to play through it using the brace and wrap on the thumb. He has not had any issues handling snaps or handing the ball off. Fitzpatrick has thrown for 1,983 yards and 15 touchdowns — the most in a season by a Jets quarterback since Mark Sanchez had 26 in 2011 — and nine interceptions.

With his two scoring passes against the Bills, Fitzpatrick surpassed Sid Luckman (137) for most touchdowns by an Ivy League quarterback with 138.

Stacy was carted from the field after returning a kickoff on the final play of the first half against the Bills.

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FOR THE RECORD: A roundup of NFL news in the Nov. 14 Sports section identified Lamarcus Joyner, who was fined for a hit on Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. He plays for the St. Louis Rams.

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Joyner fined for hit on Bridgewater

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St. Louis Cardinals cornerback Lamarcus Joyner has been fined $23,152 by the NFL for his hit that left Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater with a concussion.

Joyner made a shoulder-first hit on Bridgewater, who returned to practice Thursday after his head hit hard against the turf early in the fourth quarter Sunday. Bridgewater is expected to start Sunday at Oakland.

Tennessee linebacker David Bass was docked $17,363 on Friday for a hit to the jaw of New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, who needed stitches.

Denver safety T.J. Ward was fined $17,363 for a hit on Indianapolis wide receiver T.Y. Hilton — and $5,787 for having his jersey untucked, a uniform violation.

Etc.

Receiver Calvin Johnson is questionable for the Detroit Lions for Sunday’s game at Green Bay because of an ankle injury. Johnson didn’t practice Friday after being limited earlier in the week. ... The longest wait of Oakland Raiders safety Nate Allen’s career is finally over. Coach Jack Del Rio said Friday that the team plans to activate Allen from the injured reserve list and add him to the 53-man roster in time for Sunday’s game against Minnesota. One of several key free agents signed by the Raiders in the offseason, Allen has not played since injuring the MCL in his right knee during Oakland’s season opener on Sept. 13.

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