Around the NFL: Browns say Josh McCown is starter, Johnny Manziel the backup

The Cleveland Browns started the season with a quarterback plan: Josh McCown is the starter, Johnny Manziel is his backup.

They’re going back to it.

McCown was cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol Wednesday to practice and will start against Oakland, moving back into the lineup ahead of Manziel, who threw two touchdown passes and led the Browns to their first win on Sunday.

“It’s obviously disappointing,” Manziel said Wednesday. “I’m not going to sit here and say that I love the decision.”

Browns Coach Mike Pettine considered several factors before deciding to go back to McCown, who was injured while trying to dive into the end zone on Cleveland’s opening drive this season.

But in weighing his options, Pettine reverted to the plan the team mapped out when McCown signed as a free agent in March.

“He’s done everything we’ve asked of him in the off-season and so far this year,” Pettine said. “He’d earned the right to be our starting quarterback. We feel that he gives us the best opportunity to win on Sunday. That was truly the basis for the decision. There’s a lot of exterior factors, but for coaches it’s very bottom line.”

A strong argument can be made for both quarterbacks, but the Browns (1-1) feel the 36-year-old McCown is the better option — now. He has experience, deep knowledge of Cleveland’s offense, the respect of his teammates and he performed well during a 17-play, 90-yard drive that unfortunately ended with him launching himself into the air and taking a helmet-to-helmet blow.

Manziel showed more progress and promise in his first career win. He energized his teammates and a very vocal segment of Browns fans who believe it’s time to see if the 22-year-old can become the long-term answer for a franchise missing a franchise quarterback.

Chancellor back with Seahawks

After nearly eight weeks of holding out and losing out on potentially more than $2 million, Kam Chancellor returned to the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday.

“I just feel like the time is now. I’ve always been a guy who follows my heart. Just watching my teammates and my team play, week to week, that first and second game, watching those losses hurt me, being the leader that I am,” Chancellor said. “So I think the time is now to come back, put all business to the side and address that after the season, just get back to work.”

Chancellor reported to the team’s facility early Wednesday morning, ending a holdout that started when he missed the first day of training camp on July 31 and lingered through the 0-2 start to the regular season for the Seahawks, who lost to St. Louis and Green Bay.

Seattle will have a two-week roster exemption for Chancellor, but he must be added to the active 53-man roster at least 24 hours prior to kickoff to play either Sunday against Chicago or Monday, Oct. 5, against Detroit.

Seattle Coach Pete Carroll said the team is planning for Chancellor to play against Chicago, but said that would be assessed as the week goes on.

At issue for Chancellor was his contract and having future money paid sooner. He signed a $28 million, four-year extension during the 2013 offseason but that did not take effect until a year later. The Seahawks refused to budge on restructuring a contract that had so much time remaining, believing it would lead to a stream of players seeking new deals in the early stages of their contracts.

Etc.

New York Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will miss Thursday night’s game against the Washington Redskins because of a concussion. The Giants also said first-round draft pick Ereck Flowers is doubtful for the NFC East game because of an ankle injury. ... Hoston Texans Coach Bill O’Brien doesn’t expect Arian Foster to return from a groin injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will probably be out too because of a concussion. ... Team officials say Philadelphia Eagles running back DeMarco Murray left practice Wednesday with a hamstring injury. The team did not give details of the injury or a timetable for Murray to return. ... New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis sat out practice with a groin injury, and his status for the team’s game against Philadelphia on Sunday is uncertain. ... Minnesota Vikings left guard Brandon Fusco has a concussion and was held out of practice Wednesday, yet another injury issue for a banged-up offensive line. ... New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees said he is confident he will be able to play on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers despite a bruised rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder. ... Three Miami Dolphins offensive starters are sidelined with injuries as the team prepares for Sunday’s game against Buffalo. Running back Lamar Miller (right ankle), left tackle Branden Albert (right hamstring) and tight end Jordan Cameron (groin) sat out Wednesday’s practice but worked on the side. All were hurt in Sunday’s loss at Jacksonville. ... Browns suspended offensive line coach Andy Moeller will not be charged for an alleged assault after a woman said he tried to strangle her. ... City prosecutor Jim Walters said in a statement Wednesday that he could not find proof “beyond a reasonable doubt” that Moeller had assaulted the woman, who identified herself on a 911 call as his fiancee and said he had been violent before. Moeller was suspended by the Browns on Sept. 7, two days following the incident at his home. The team said Moeller’s suspension “remains indefinite.”