Browns Ink QB Josh Johnson; Brandon Weeden, Colt McCoy Miss Practice

Browns third-string quarterback Thaddeus Lewis took reps with the starters today because rookie Brandon Weeden (sprained throwing shoulder) and Colt McCoy (sore throwing shoulder) did not practice today. If neither Weeden nor McCoy can play Sunday, Lewis would start for the Browns (5-10) in their season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8) at Heinz Field. Lewis, who has spent the majority of the past two seasons with the Browns as a member of their active roster and practice squad, has never played in an NFL regular-season game. “Whoever’s in there I trust,” Browns coach Pat Shurmur said today. “I’ve had experience with Thad in the past, and he hasn’t had a lot of opportunity in regular-season games to go in there and play. But if he’s in there playing, we definitely trust that he’ll do a good job.” The Browns signed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Johnson to their active roster today, and he would serve as Lewis’ backup if Weeden and McCoy are sidelined. Weeden sprained his right shoulder Sunday in the third quarter of the Browns’ 34-12 loss to the Denver Broncos. McCoy’s right shoulder is sore, too, because he hurt it against the Broncos, Shurmur said. “[McCoy] told us he was sore and came in and got treatment,” Shurmur said. Source: Akron Beacon Journal