Johnny Manziel will start at quarterback for Browns against Bengals

With starting quarterback Josh McCown unable to play because of a painful rib injury, Johnny Manziel will start Thursday night for the Cleveland Browns against the Cincinnati Bengals, who treated him so rudely as a rookie on the road last year and now get him on their home turf.

In his first NFL start last season, Manziel was chased, sacked, intercepted and taunted by the Bengals in a 30-0 embarrassment. Now, Manziel’s facing one of the league’s four remaining unbeaten teams on short notice.

McCown was unable to practice Tuesday night because of his ribs — and sore shoulder — and Browns Coach Mike Pettine announced the decision to start Manziel on Wednesday before the team left for Cincinnati.

“On the short week we realized that Josh just wasn’t going to be able to get to the point where he could go,” Pettine said. “Johnny has worked hard to prepare himself. He is excited about his opportunity and we are all looking forward to the challenge we face in a good Bengals football team.”

McCown played through severe pain in the second half Sunday in a 34-20 loss to Arizona. The 36-year-old quarterback said Tuesday he was having difficulty breathing and sleeping because his ribs were so sore. If he’s not able to play at all, the Browns will have third-stringer Austin Davis active to back up Manziel against the Bengals.

This will be the second start this season for Manziel, who won against Tennessee in Week 2 when McCown was sidelined with a concussion sustained on the season’s opening drive on Sept. 13 against the New York Jets. Manziel replaced McCown late in the second half the last two weeks.

In last season’s game against the Bengals, Manziel passed for 80 yards, had two passes intercepted and endured some taunts from defenders, who relished the chance to take down the hyped quarterback.

“Obviously, that was not the first career start I would have hoped for or expected when the Bengals came to our stadium last year,” Manziel said. “I did learn from it and I feel much more confident in my abilities now because of the progress I feel like I’ve made over this season. My experience in that game from last year should help me.”

Fitzpatrick to start

New York Jets Coach Todd Bowles said that quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will start against the Jacksonville Jaguars after being a full participant at practice despite dealing with a torn ligament in his left thumb.

“No limitations today,” Fitzpatrick said. “Really, just kind of a trial run to see how it was going to feel and what the best way to do [things] going forward would be in terms of using it or not using it and all that. Today was a pretty positive day in that regard.”

The right-handed Fitzpatrick wore what he called “a special glove” over his left hand after tearing at least one ligament in his thumb that will require surgery at some point. He was hurt on the first drive of the Jets’ 34-20 loss at Oakland last Sunday.

Geno Smith replaced Fitzpatrick against the Raiders, but bruised his left (non-throwing) shoulder and had to leave the game briefly after taking a hard shot to his abdomen. Smith was also a full participant at practice and will be Fitzpatrick’s backup Sunday.

Pierre-Paul ready to go?

New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul seemingly is ready to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. All he has to do is convince the Giants’ medical staff to let him play with the right hand that he injured in a fireworks accident on July 4.

Pierre-Paul picked up his workload at practice Wednesday and seemed confident he would be able to return to his Pro Bowl form. He lost his index finger in the accident and had a couple of other fingers damaged.

A confident Pierre-Paul said he has been able to shed blockers and grab opponents since rejoining the team last week, and practicing for the first time since being injured. He expects opponents to test him and he vows to be ready.

“Yeah, I want to play, yeah,” Pierre-Paul said. “But it’s up to the medical staff; like I said, they’re taking me slowly.”

Coach Tom Coughlin insisted that the team will not rush Pierre-Paul back before he is ready. He was adamant that giving up 52 points against New Orleans last weekend also would not influence the decision. “If he’s ready, we’ll play him,” Coughlin said. “If he’s not ready, then we’ll take more time.”

Etc.

San Francisco 49ers Coach Jim Tomsula officially announced that Blaine Gabbert will take over the starting role at quarterback from Colin Kaepernick this week as the team looks for any kind of spark after failing to score a touchdown three times in the last five games. ... St. Louis Rams backup running back Trey Watts was suspended indefinitely for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. It’s the second suspension this fall for Watts, who was out the first four games from a penalty handed down in late May. ... The Detroit Lions put linebacker DeAndre Levy on injured reserve after he was limited to one game this season because of hip trouble. ... Veteran wide receiver Steve Smith’s season is done after the Baltimore Ravens placed him on injured reserve with a torn right Achilles’ tendon.