Berea, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - The Cleveland Browns have officially ended Johnny Manziel's rookie season by placing the rookie quarterback on injured reserve Wednesday.
Browns head coach Mike Pettine had already stated during his Monday press conference that Manziel would miss Sunday's season finale at Baltimore with a hamstring injury the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner sustained in Cleveland's Week 16 loss to Carolina.
Manziel wasn't able to meet expectations in his NFL debut, as the first-round pick was beaten out by journeyman Brian Hoyer in the preseason and served as the backup for the Browns' first 13 games. He got his chance to start in Cleveland's game against Cincinnati on Dec. 14, but managed just 80 passing yards and was intercepted two times in a 30-0 loss to the Bengals.
The former Texas A&M star was 3-for-8 for 32 yards before exiting late in the first half of Sunday's 17-13 setback to the Browns.
Hoyer replaced Manziel but hurt his throwing shoulder during the Carolina game and did not take part in Wednesday's practice. His status for Sunday's contest remains uncertain.
If Hoyer cannot play, either newly signed Tyler Thigpen or undrafted rookie Connor Shaw would draw the starting assignment at quarterback. Thigpen was just signed by the Browns on Tuesday, while Shaw is currently still on the team's practice squad.
Nose tackle Ishmaa'ily Kitchen was also put on IR Wednesday due to a leg injury, while fellow defensive lineman John Hughes was activated from injured reserve/designated to return.
Hughes has been sidelined since spraining his right knee against Oakland in Week 8. The third-year pro had 10 tackles in four games (two starts) prior to the injury.
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