NFL Notes: Johnny Manziel, Colin Kaepernick, Giants, Packers & Steelers

Johnny Manziel

• Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer believes that Johnny Manziel‘s demotion to the third string could mark the end of his time with the Browns.
• Cabot insists that the Browns will target a quarterback in the first-round of the 2016 NFL Draft, since the team will likely have a top five selection.
• Cabot lists Memphis’ Paxton Lynch, California’s Jared Goff, and Michigan State’s Connor Cook as first-round draft prospects for Cleveland.

Colin Kaepernick

• Cam Inman of the Mercury News confirmed that 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn labrum in his left-shoulder.
• Inman notes that Kaepernick faces a 4-6 month recovery time.

Giants

• Dan Graziano of ESPN says LB J.T. Thomas could return from the ankle injury that has kept him out of the lineup since Week 7 to play in Week 12.
• C Winston Richburg will return for a limited practice on Wednesday after sustaining a high-ankle sprain during Week 10. (Dan Graziano)
• HC Tom Coughlin said that T Justin Pugh has improved “very little” from the concussion he sustained in Week 8. (Paul Schwartz)

Packers

• HC Mike McCarthy said that WR Ty Montgomery (ankle) will not be available for Week 12’s Thursday night game. (Aaron Nagler)

Steelers

• T Mike Adams (back) will remain on the PUP list for the duration of the season, since he was not activated by Tuesday’s deadline. The Steelers are not required to place him on the season-ending injured reserve. (Mark Kaboly)