Johnny Manziel was not the only rookie in camp for the Browns.
Connor Shaw spent 16 weeks on the practice squad of the Browns but will start on Sunday in the season finale.
The Browns (7-8) will play against the Ravens in their season finale. Johnny Manziel has been ruled out with a hamstring injury while journeyman Brian Hoyer has missed practive all week due to shoulder and bicep injuries.
“You’re starting an undrafted rookie quarterback — I don’t think we’re going to look to go down there and win one 41-38,” Browns coach Mike Pettine said. “We need to be along the lines of 3-2.”
With Shaw starting he becomes the 22nd different quarterback to start for the Browns over the last 16 years.
“I’m just going to go play,” said Shaw, who signed with the Browns after playing college football at South Carolina. “With my capability and my style of play, nothing’s going to change. I’m not in garnet and black anymore; I’m in white and brown and orange.”
The Browns opened as a 7 point underdog. That number has jumped to 13 in recent days. The team was 7-4 and in control of its own playoff hopes at one point, now they are on their way to losing five straight to end the season and will enter the offseason with even more questionmarks, many of which will center around the quarterback position.
