Browns to choose starting QB for Week 2 after Friday's practice

— -- BEREA, Ohio -- Josh McCown will start ahead of Johnny Manziel at quarterback Sunday if he returns from his concussion and practices without issues Friday,  Cleveland Browns coach Mike Pettine said.

"I don't see an issue if he's cleared and practices fully tomorrow. I don't see, barring anything unforeseen, a reason why we wouldn't play him," Pettine said Thursday ahead of the Browns' Week 2 game against the Tennessee Titans.

McCown left Sunday's loss to the New York Jets with a concussion. The earliest he can return, according to the league's concussion protocol, is Friday, Pettine said.

McCown will be examined by an independent neurologist on Friday, who will make the final decision on whether he will be cleared.

Asked whether he expects McCown to be cleared, Pettine said: "There's no Ph.D. after my name. That I do not know. We're hopeful. To me, these situations, you learn over time they're just impossible to predict."

McCown missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, but Pettine downplayed that absence, saying the Jets and Titans have similar defensive approaches.

Because of that, the Browns' game plans and offensive plays will be similar to last week's, so Pettine feels McCown will be ready. The coach said the decision regarding who would start would follow Friday's practice.

Left tackle Joe Thomas said he would expect McCown would have no problems playing Sunday with just one day of practice.

"Friday practice, in my opinion, is the most important practice, because it's finally where you put it all together," Thomas said. "So as long as he gets a Friday in, I think he'd have no problem stepping in and not missing a beat."

Manziel, who opened the season as McCown's backup, worked as the starter in practice Wednesday and Thursday.