Trevor Bauer faces R.A. Dickey on Wednesday night at Rogers Centre in the third and final game of this series between the Indians and Blue Jays. The season series, which ends tonight, stands at 3-3.

TORONTO -- The Indians and Blue Jays play their final game of the regular eason Wednesday night at Rogers Centre when this three-game series ends. Trevor Bauer will face Toronto knuckleballer R.A. Dickey.

Game No. 132: Indians (64-67), Blue Jays (75-57).

First pitch: 7:07 p.m.

TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio WTAM, WMMS.

Step aside Rocky, Joe Frazier finally gets his statue in Phildelphia.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The antics and showmanship have gotten tired when it comes to Adrien Broner. So much so that Broner limited himself to only one word during Tuesday's press conference in Cincinnati to announce his fight with former WBA light welterweight champion Khabib Allakhverdiev (19-1, 9 KOs).

The lack of words could prove a good thing for Broner, who is coming off a disappointing loss to Shawn Porter last June. It was a fight where Broner did not appear serious and a fight that continues to prove Broner needs to stay out of the 147-pound welterweight division.

His fight on Oct. 3 against Allakhverdiev is for the vacant WBA junior welterweight title, but Top Rank has the title under protest. Showtime will televise the fight.

Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, Broner promises to leave all of his previous shenanigans away from this fight. He promises a different Broner (30-2), not the fighter who has lost two of his last five fights.

A loss on Oct. 3 could mean the end of Broner. A victory will certainly bring back his loquacious antics. But none of the chatter or the silent treatment will matter until he defeats another quality opponent.

About time: The late great Joe Frazier will finally receive some form of justice when the city of Philadelphia will unveil a 12-foot bronze statue in his likeness on Sept. 12.

This is the same city that erected a statue of a movie character -- Rocky Balboa -- before honoring Frazier, a former heavyweight champion.

Statue artist Stephen Layne recreated Frazier in mid-punch, depicting the moment after Frazier landed the punch that knocked down Muhammad Ali in the 15th round, on March 8, 1971.

Know when to say when: Add welterweight Paul Malignaggi (33-7) to the list of fighters who should have retired years ago. But Malignaggi, who has become a solid boxing announcer, will fight as part of a main event in Italy. Malignaggi is a former two-time world champion. He was knocked out in his last two fights, but he did not want to pass up an opportunity to fight in the country of his parents. Malignaggi will fight in a six rounder. The opponent is TBA.

Streak ends: Floyd Mayweather has a streak of 48 straight victories without a loss, a streak that is in jeopardy on Sept. 12 against Andre Berto.

But another streak ended last week.

Britain's Robin Deakin's 51 consecutive losses ended with a victory in London on Saturday. In a Time Magazine article, the reporter details how Deakin won 40 out of 75 fights as an amateur, but his professional losing streak is the longest recorded. Saturday's victory was Deakin's first since 2006. 

Quarterback expert Jon Gruden is 'very concerned' about Johnny Manziel's elbow tendinitis.

CHICAGO -- ESPN's Jon Gruden, who worked with Johnny Manziel before training camp this summer, is troubled by the first-round pick's recurring elbow tendinitis.

"It was a little bit of a surprise to me," Gruden said on a conference call Wednesday for Monday Night Football. "I don't remember hearing about a lot of arm problems until recently. I had not had that brought to my attention, so I would be very concerned. His arm never came up when I met with him."

Gruden, a Super Bowl-winning coach and host of the immensely popular "Gruden's QB Camp" series on ESPN, profiled Manziel on the series and spent two days working closely with him.

Manziel then reached out to Gruden again this summer to help him get ready for camp. But the subject of the sore elbow never came up.

"Hopefully it's nothing severe, but I'd be very concerned anytime a young quarterback or any quarterback is on the shelf for arm reasons," Gruden said. "I haven't seen that anywhere else in pro football this year."

Gruden agreed with Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo that Manziel's three-quarter release can put undue stress on the elbow.

"He does have a lot of different awkward deliveries that he makes," Gruden said. "I mean he is almost double-jointed at times. He'll be running to his left, throw the ball against the grain awkwardly, side-armed."

Manziel stressed that he won't change his throwing motion to prevent the swelling, and the Browns have also said it's unnecessary.

"I've thrown like this since Day One,'' Manziel said. "I can definitely tell when I do have my elbow like this (demonstrates the three-quarter angle) it puts a little bit more stress on it, but going into the game even when I rolled to the left and threw a 40- or 50-yard pass to Darius (Jennings), that play didn't hurt it; just sometimes stepping up in the pocket and throwing a regular ball."

Manziel confirmed Tuesday that he's had the tendinitis since his freshman year at Texas A&M, after which he became the first freshman in history to win the Heisman Trophy. He also revealed that he's gotten a second opinion from noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, and that he's been told the elbow won't need surgery.

"No, this is an injury that no matter what the case it wouldn't require that,'' said Manziel. "More than anything it's just sore, (from) just a little bit of overthrowing and make sure I'm icing and doing what I need to do."

He also believes that the tendinitis won't hurt his career.

"A hundred percent,'' he said. "I think this organization has done a good job of, 'hey, we'll give you a day off here, we'll give you a day off there' and just making sure next time we'll know it won't get to a point where we overthrow to where we have to take four or five days off or whatever the case is. I'm really not concerned about it at all."

Former Browns quarterback Tim Couch, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1999 draft who battled tendinitis throughout his Browns career, was as worried about Manziel's elbow issues as Gruden is. He told Northeast Ohio Media Group that he believes his two subsequent shoulder surgeries -- to repair a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff -- were due to altering his throwing motion because of the pain.

Couch suggested Manziel take as much time off as possible.

 "(Shutting him down) wouldn't be a bad idea if he's going to continue to have these flare-ups,'' said Couch. "This is the second one so far in camp. Once the season starts, I think it'll calm down for him since he's not going to be the starter. He won't be throwing. There's a lot less workload on his arm.''

But coach Mike Pettine said Tuesday that the plan is for Manziel to begin throwing by the end of next week in hopes that he can be the No. 2 behind Josh McCown for the opener Sept. 13 against the Jets.

"Whoever our two quarterback is - right now we're hopeful that it's going to be Johnny - he has to be able to throw,'' said Pettine. "We're not going to roll the dice and go into a game, especially after (QB) Josh (McCown) showed us that he can be a little bit on the reckless side sometimes. No, Johnny, we're confident that he'll be where ne heeds to be, and like I said before, if we're not, then we'll address it appropriately."

Manziel said teams did MRIs on him at the NFL Combine in 2014 and poked and prodded him as needed.

"For the most part, to the best of my knowledge, it didn't really raise any red flags,'' Manziel said. "I don't think it necessarily hurt where I was drafted or where I ended up, so it would probably be more of a question for the Browns. But I'm sure they  -- and every other team -- did their history before using a first-round pick."

The Texans, who had the No. 1 overall pick that year, never expressed any concerns about Manziel's elbow. Neither did Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who regretted not drafting Manziel in the first round. And Gruden, who had spent those few days with Manziel, never had an inkling either. In fact, he reportedly urged the Raiders to draft him with their No. 5 overall pick, which they used on linebacker Khalil Mack.

"I don't have any concerns (about Manziel)," Gruden told reporters before the draft. "I'm a Manziel -- I don't know what the word I should use is -- advocate, proponent. I want Manziel. I realize he's under six feet tall. Maybe he can't see over the line. We blew that theory in the water (in 2013) with [Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell] Wilson and [New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew] Brees.

"I know he can learn. I spent two days with him, and I know he wants to learn. He had four different offensive coordinators at Texas A&M. He had two different head coaches. It didn't matter. He adapted and did extremely well. This is the first Heisman Trophy winner as a freshman. In two years at Texas A&M, he had the most productive back-to-back seasons in SEC history. I don't know what you want him to do. He threw for 8,000, ran for 2,000, he has 93 touchdowns. All I know is I want Manziel."

Manziel, who will sit out Thursday night's preseason finale in Chicago, hopes to prove to Gruden and everyone else that the elbow is nothing to worry about.

The Browns are going into the season with Josh McCown as their starter, a sore-armed Johnny Manziel as the backup, Thad Lewis in reserve (for now) and Connor Shaw on injured reserve. Optimism doesn't exactly abound.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- You Said It is based on the premise that the only thing Cleveland sports fans need more than a championship is a sense of humor...

YOU SAID IT

Bud: How long do you think it will be before the Browns have more wins per year than uniforms? -- Ignatowski

Stay positive. It could happen this year. All it takes is perseverance, confidence and the Browns eliminating three or four of the nine combinations.

Bud: Will the Browns' wide variety of uniform color combinations allow them to adhere more strictly to the fashion world's 'no white pants after Labor Day' guideline? - Jim Corrigan, Fairview Park

Of greater concern is whether they will once again prompt their fan base to wave white flags after Thanksgiving.

Hey Bud: The Browns have been increasingly talking about a mythical happy place called "The Room." (The QB Room; The Running Backs Room, etc). How close to "The Room" do I need to be to catch one TEENY TINY good feeling about the coming season?  --  James S, Chagrin Falls

Close enough to hear the teaching going on in there by Mike Pettine's dedicated, enthusiastic staff. Not so close as to hear Johnny Manziel's elbow creaking when he takes notes.

Hey Bud, with the Indians' greatly improved play and your reappearance (from vacation) at the same time, is that a sign of better things to come or just my imagination? - Ted, Concord.

Let's see. I've worked in three of the top four most cursed sports cities. So you must have Tim Burton's imagination.

Bud: Now that we are well into the preseason and Connor Shaw is on the IR, what do you think the odds are that the Browns' starting QB for Game 16 is currently on the roster? -- Phil Calabrese, Shaker Heights

Depends. Does Kevin O'Connell count?

Bud: I rather like the current Browns' quarterback situation. But then I again, I like my chicken rare. -- Jack Chase - Brook Park, OH

You Said it winners get by on a wing and a prayer.

The defensive lineman, who's seen his mother and girlfriend wage successful fights against cancer, is trying to secure a spot on the 53-man roster. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio - Life spent on the fringes of an NFL roster is an unnerving place this time of year.

Solid footing is impossible to obtain for low-round picks and undrafted free agents, the ground beneath them constantly shifting as coaches decide which low man in each positional group to keep or cut.

One poor preseason performance might mean the difference between the 53-man unit and practice squad. One injury can put a hopeful back in the pool with hundreds of others looking for a locker room to call home.

"Every time I step on this field it's a blessed day," Browns defensive lineman and Parma Valley Forge product Jamie Meder said Tuesday afternoon.

The 6-foot-3, 295 pounder with a beard on loan from Duck Dynasty is close to securing a roster spot for his hometown team. His head coach labels him one of squad's most improved players. His strong play in three preseason games has kept him in a deep defensive-line room while veterans Phil Taylor and Ishmaa'ily Kitchen have been dispatched.

But Meder understands there are no guarantees.

You want to talk about life on the bubble? Imagine being 11 years old and seeing your mother and grandfather waging fights against cancer. You want to know how quickly fortunes can change? Imagine your girlfriend going to the doctor to discover the source of her neck pain is nasal pharyngeal cancer, which spreads to her lymph nodes and brain.

"It's one of those things: Life is short, you've got to live it up every day," Meder said. "You have bad days but you've got to be happy every morning. ... Never take anything for granted."

His life experiences have made him infinitely qualified to handle the uncertainties of the NFL. Meder has a strong support group anchored by his mother, Karen, a breast cancer survivor, and his girlfriend of nine years, Lyndsey Koehler, who's been in remission for three years and teaches special education in a suburban school district.

The former Ashland University standout also has a rock of father, Don, a former local prep coach who exhibited the toughness of his gridiron hero Dick Butkus in caring for his wife and late father.

As a fifth grader, Meder learned what it truly means to live day to day. He saw his mother drop weight and lose her hair through chemo treatments. He also witnessed what it requires to be a man. His dad worked, coached and went home to help Karen and his father.

"Don put her on a pedestal," said Jamie Vanek, who played football under Don at Parma Senior and coached Meder at Valley Forge. "He made sure he was there for his family ... and served as a great mentor for Jamie."

Meder dealt with his own self-inflicted adversity. The 2009 high school graduate missed an opportunity to play major college football because he didn't qualify academically. He told NEOMG's Doug Lesmerises: "I was just being a dumb teenager and putting too much focus into sports when I should have been putting it on grades, as well."

A semester at Cuyahoga Community College allowed him to jump-start his academic career and last year he graduated from Ashland with a degree in criminal justice. Just as Meder began to excel on the football field again, cancer struck another loved one. Lyndsey had been complaining of neck pain and it was initially thought to be a pulled muscle. The eventual diagnosis delivered a blow harder than any he's received in pads and helmet.

Vanek marvels at the strength and sacrifice his former player demonstrated. Meder shuttled between Ashland and Cleveland, spending as much time as he could with Lyndsey while remaining dedicated to his team and school work.

The radiation made her feel as though she had "sunburn" down her throat. Vanek was by her side, celebrating all the little victories like when she was able to eat Chipotle again.  

"The shock is always there, but I was a lot stronger this time around," Meder said. "When my mom was sick and my grandpa was sick at the same time ... I don't want to say it was more of a struggle, but I wasn't as strong as a person as I am now."

Meder played mind games to cope. He took the pain and anguish and personified them in opponents across the line of scrimmage, earning All-American honors. Last year, he spent time on the Ravens' practice squad before being picked up by the Browns. Meder made one tackle his NFL debut, a regular-season finale at Baltimore.

Growing up as a Browns fan has made the past 10 months all the more surreal.

"It's amazing," he said. "Every day I wake up happy."

Former Valley Forge coach Jamie Vanek had a surprise encounter with his former player, Browns defensive lineman Jamie Meder, this spring.Jamie Vanek photo 

In the spring, Vanek spoke at a leadership camp for high school students at the Browns' indoor training facility. As he addressed the group, one player draped in a hoodie worked on drills with no coaches in sight.

Vanek told the teens the solitary player was a good example of somebody dedicating himself to his craft when nobody else is watching. It startled him to learn the sweaty figure under the hood was Meder.

"It gives me chills thinking about it," Vanek said. "I was so proud of Jamie in that moment."

Meder has registered seven tackles and a sack in three preseason games. Pettine said the defensive lineman has impressed with his technique, adding: "Jamie Meder has stepped up and proven that he can play at a high level in this league."

The 24-year-old must continue to stack good days to lock down a spot on the opening-day roster Sept. 13 against the Jets. Even that might not be enough. NFL math can be cruel, and if a team experiences a sudden shortfall at another position, the Jamie Meders of the league are forever at risk.

"It is always in the back of my mind," he said. "I always try to put my best foot forward, work hard. If it happens, it happens."

Armed with perspective, Meder heads to Chicago for the Browns' final preseason game on Thursday.

It's a big night for him -- and his gritty family of fighters.

Browns Terrelle Pryor doesn't want to be handed a roster spot. He wants to earn it through his ability and hard work. Watch video

CHICAGO, Ill -- Terrelle Pryor will have what Russell Wilson's having.

Heading into Thursday night's preseason finale here, Pryor kidded that he needs Wilson's own Recovery Water that the quarterback claims prevented him from getting a concussion in the NFC Championship Game.

"I need a miracle water,'' Pryor said with a laugh. "Whatever he's getting from our Father up above, I need it.''

Whether or not Pryor actually needs a miracle to make the Browns' 53-man roster Saturday is another story. Coach Mike Pettine has already said Thursday night's game in Chicago won't make or break him, and that he'll be limited with his hamstring if he plays.

That's music to the ears of Pryor, who estimates he'll only be about 70% to 80% if he makes his debut in the preseason finale, a meaningless game in which most of the starters rest.

"For me, I'm going to just go as hard as I can,'' he said. "If something tightens up or whatever, I'm just going to say I'm not helping my team playing hurt like that. Hopefully it doesn't. I'm a praying guy. I'm praying I'm not going to get a lot of reps tomorrow, I'm going to try and rest it. I'm going to ice like crazy. Hopefully come Thursday it feels good like (Monday). (Monday) it felt real good.''

But Pryor doesn't want to make the team on a wing and a prayer. He's worked his tail off since making the switch to receiver in June, and he wants to make it on his own merits: his talent, his athletic ability and his tireless work ethic. Before the hamstring Aug. 4, he was working 'round the clock to make the quantum leap from quarterback to receiver. The regimen included watching film of great receivers, working out at the Randy Moss Academy with Pro Bowl wideouts and working before practice with cornerback such as Joe Haden and Tramon Williams.

"I don't want to feel blessed,'' he said. "Everything I've ever done for my life, sheesh, my mother, growing up I've been by myself, moving in and out of different places by myself since I was 12 years old. I really didn't have like a figure, people to show me the way. I've pretty much grown and anything I have I've worked for it by myself.

"I don't like being given anything. I do want to help the Browns. If that's the opportunity I have, cool, but that doesn't excite me. That doesn't say I've worked for it. When I get on the field I'd say I'm a great teammate. I spend a long time in the facility, I always ask questions, I try to be the best teammate, player I can be. But that doesn't excite me because I want to earn everything I have or get.''

Pryor also has no regrets about waiting so long to give up on his quarterback dreams and try receiver. He spent three years as a quarterback in Oakland from 2011-2012and sat out of football in 2014.

"You can't have regrets and you can't look back,'' he said. "I definitely don't look back in the past because I've been cut three times. This doesn't hurt me mentally. All I can do is look forward and enjoy this time I've been having, having great coaches coach me up every single day, having great teammates right now here in the present. Being a Cleveland Brown, I enjoy it, I love it.''

Regardless of what happens by 4 p.m. Saturday, Pryor takes pride in the fact that Pro Bowl cornerbacks such as Haden and Williams believe he can play receiver.

"It means a lot,'' he said. "The feeling for me to have a guy like Joe Haden, Dwayne Bowe and guys like that to speak up for me on my behalf. It doesn't get any better than that. You've got Joe Haden, guys you go against and he kind of sees your potential. I appreciate that from Joe, I really do appreciate him and appreciate all my teammates.''

Haden, for one, is confident other teams will give Pryor a chance at receiver if the Browns give up on him.

"That's in a couple days,'' he said. "If it happens, it happens. I've been cut three times, I know what it feels like. I do want to be here, I know I can make plays and be very good for this team, but if it doesn't work, it is what it is, it's in God's hands. I can't really control that.''

#browns wr @TerrellePryor back in action in training camp today @clevelanddotcom pic.twitter.com/Dcuy2xNVS3

— John D Kuntz (@JD_Kuntz) August 15, 2015

If Pryor plays Thursday night, don't expect him to see him blow past cornerbacks on a go route with his 4.4 speed.

"I don't think I could burst 100 percent,'' he said. "I don't think I can take off like I can. And there's guys around the league, I've been doing research on other receivers, pretty good receivers, that had the same problem, but they've been going 70 percent, 80 percent, they don't really have that extra burst. It kind of explains the situation I'm in.''

As for his ability to take a hit, he chuckled.

"Did you see (quarterback) Josh (McCown) get hit the other day?,'' he said. "You get hit. I don't think it's different. It's a game."

But if he gets thrown in "it's well enough. I'm confident and comfortable enough to go out and play. I'm sure it will come back eventually, but right now I'm dealing with the circumstances I have. That's to make a play on a leg and a half, I guess.''

Question is, will the Browns decide that two legs are worth the wait?

The Cleveland Cavaliers have re-signed shooting guard J.R. Smith, General Manager David Griffin announced Wednesday evening.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers have re-signed shooting guard J.R. Smith, General Manager David Griffin announced Wednesday evening. 

Terms of the contract were not revealed per league and team policy, but earlier reports from our Chris Haynes indicated Smith and the Cavs had agreed to a two-year deal for a little more than $10 million total, with player option on the second year.

Smith's incentive-laden and uniquely-structured deal gives him the opportunity to test free agency next off-season, when the NBA's salary cap is expected to inflate significantly. 

Smith, a three-point specialist, arrived in a three-team trade on Jan. 5 along with Iman Shumpert in a move that helped propel the Cavaliers to the second spot in the Eastern Conference, and eventually an NBA Finals trip. The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 12.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.4 steals while playing 31.8 minutes per night in 46 games (45 starts). 

Originally thought of as a possible sixth man, the role he has excelled in during his career, Smith found a spot in the team's starting lineup as an important floor-spacer. His 131 three-pointers made were the most in the Eastern Conference after Jan. 5. 

With Smith in the starting lineup alongside LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and Timofey Mozgov, the Cavs had an impressive 29-4 record. 

His role changed, however, during the postseason. After starting the first four games in Cleveland's first-round series sweep against Boston, a two-game suspension in the Eastern Conference semifinals opened the door for Shumpert to slide into the starting lineup, putting Smith back on the bench for the remainder of the playoff run.

He averaged 12.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists on 40 percent shooting, including 35 percent from three-point range in 18 playoff games. During the 4-2 series loss to the Golden State Warriors in the Finals, Smith fizzled, averaging 11.5 points on 31 percent from the field, including 29 percent from distance.

Despite his struggles, Smith surprisingly declined his $6.4 million player option for the 2015-16 season and tested the free agent market, which proved to be costly.

"That's always part of the gamble of opting out," Smith told Northeast Ohio Media Group at the NBA players' union summer meeting in Las Vegas in July, when he was still waiting for a deal.

Over his 11-year NBA career, Smith owns career averages of 13.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steal in 26.5 minutes over 762 games (218 starts) with New Orleans, Denver, New York and Cleveland. He currently ranks 24th in NBA history in three-pointers made (1,475) and has 13 games with at least eight three-pointers, which is the most in NBA history.  

Smith first announced the agreement via Instagram on Aug. 20. 

Happy to say that I am returning to the Cavs! It's been a long ride this summer but I can say for sure, well worth the wait. When I opted out of my contract, I wanted to understand the landscape of the NBA and where I fit best. The Cavaliers had things they needed to do in order to piece together a championship caliber roster. I ended up deciding that instead of potentially securing a larger deal elsewhere, I wanted to rejoin an incredible organization in pursuit of the ultimate goal, an NBA championship. Thank you to the Cavaliers for making this happen. Can't wait to get started! #TheLand

A photo posted by JR Smith (@teamswish) on Aug 20, 2015 at 6:17pm PDT

A lot of things have gone wrong for the Indians this season, but a failure to win games in the AL Central has been a particular burden.

TORONTO -- If this season ends like it's expected to for the Indians, there will be more than enough blame to spread from one end of the organization to another.

During the autopsy, the one thing that should not be overlooked is the Indians' failure to win games in the AL Central. After Wednesday's season finale against the Blue Jays, the Indians will play 27 of their final 30 games in the Central.

What flickering wild card dreams they still possess will be decided then. After going 44-32 in the Central in 2013 and 39-37 in 2014, the Indians are 18-31 in their own backyard this year. The 18 division wins are the fewest of any team in MLB's six divisions.

All of which makes their climb into third place ahead of Chicago and Detroit surprising. That could change in a hurry.

Here's how many games the Indians have left against their Central opponents and their current record: Royals (seven, 5-7), Twins (seven, 5-7), Detroit (seven, 3-9) and Chicago (six, 5-8).

Manager Terry Francona, when asked about the season-long failure in the Central said, "What's our record against Detroit? It's terrible. They beat us up. Then Kansas City is the best team in the American League. Those are two factors right there.

"Minnesota has been good. I mean that's our league. But Detroit really beating us up has probably been the biggest factor."

Kansas City went into Wednesday's game against the Tigers with the best record in the AL at 80-51. The Twins have been a wild-card contender for much of the season.

Over the last three seasons, the Tigers are 35-12 against the Indians. This year they set the tone by winning five of six games in April. But the Tigers have fallen on hard times. They traded headliners David Price and Yoenis Cespedes when they fell out of the race. GM Dave Dombrowski left as well.

The Indians open a three-game series against the Tigers on Friday at Comerica Park so it will be interesting to see if big brother-little brother relationship has changed between the two teams.

Two words of warning to Indians fans: Miguel Cabrera. The Tigers' first baseman is off the disabled list and leading the AL with a .359 batting average. This season he's hitting .619 (26-for-42) with five homers and 16 RBI against the Indians.

Sounds like a plan: The Indians faced R.A. Dickey and his knuckleball Wednesday night. So how do you hit one?

"You just play and hope you get lucky because I don't know where it's going, you don't know where it's going and he doesn't know where it's going," said Michael Brantley, 2-for-7 against Dickey before Wednesday's game. "

Francona managed knuckleballer Tim Wakefield in Boston. The toughest thing besides hitting and catching a knuckleball, might be managing a pitcher who throws it.

"It took me a while to get used to it," said Francona. "You have to learn to take your hands and sit on them because you're going to live on the edge of your seat. There are going to be wild pitches. There are going to be stolen bases. But when Wake was good, you'd look up in the sixth or seventh inning and have a chance to win.

"But there was a lot of stuff that happened in between. Like I said you have to take your hands and sit on them."

The Rogers Centre roof was closed when the game started. Francona speculated that it was closed to give Dickey's knuckleball a controlled environment to work in.

"We liked pitching Wakefield in domes," said Francona.

But after the first inning, the roof at Rogers Centre was opened.

Finally: The Indians will promote two players from Class AAA Columbus on Friday when they open a three-game series in Detroit. Francona would not identify them because he said the players hadn't been told yet. ... Yan Gomes hit two homers Tuesday night that pulled the Indians into ties in the seventh and ninth innings. The last player to hit two game-tying homers that late in a game, according to Elias, was Tampa Bay's Ty Wigginton on May 5, 2007. Wigginton hit solo homers in the seventh and ninth innings against Oakland. Gomes is hitting .350 from the seventh inning on this season.

Meyer said he thinks he knows who will start the Virginia Tech game, but still plans on playing two quarterbacks.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Wednesday's practice was the one Urban Meyer said would give him a good gauge on who should be Ohio State's starting quarterback next Monday night against Virginia Tech.

So, Cardale Jones or J.T. Barrett?

"I have an idea who's gonna take the first snap," Meyer said after Wednesday's practice. "The favorite? I'm not sure I like that word, but I have a feeling on who's gonna take the first snap. I still think that after today."

That was a little stronger than what Meyer said during Tuesday's Big Ten coaches teleconference. Meyer said Wednesday that he's met with both quarterbacks, and reiterated that playing both in some capacity is still the plan for this season. 

While Meyer knows -- or thinks he knows -- who will take the first snap against the Hokies, not divulging that information isn't anything new. Jim Harbaugh is doing the same thing at Michigan. Only you'll know the answer to Michigan's quarterback question when they open the season Thursday night in Utah.

You'll have to wait for Meyer's. It could be Barrett, it could be Jones. Maybe it will be Braxton Miller.

A little wildcat with a former quarterback to open the game?

That's just spit-balling because Meyer hasn't done much in the way of tipping his hand. It sounds like Miller will be a big part of the gameplan on Monday, though, the black non-contact jersey he wore throughout training camp was just a precaution.

"No concern," Meyer said. "He's had plenty of contact reps in his career. He's been live, good to go."

The last time we asked readers their thoughts, Barrett got 51 percent of the vote, Jones got 45 percent and Miller got four percent.

The two quarterbacks thing is interesting, but it might also be the only mistake Meyer could make in the decision between two guys who've shown they can win. How this two-quarterback system that Meyer has been cryptic about actually unfolds will be fascinating.

The idea that both Barrett and Jones will play at some point this season isn't crazy. Of course whoever the backup is would see some time. The Buckeyes play Hawaii in Week 2, and have some other games where a backup quarterback could play in the second half -- just like Jones did last year before becoming the starter.

But a scripted version of a two-quarterback system? That's something different.

Maybe Meyer isn't quite there yet.

"How much, and what series? We haven't had that conversation," Meyer said.

Trevor Bauer lasted 1 1/3 innings as the Indians lost to the Blue Jays, 5-1, Wednesday night at Rogers Centre in Toronto. The Blue Jays won the series, 2-1.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right-hander R.A. Dickey pitched a four-hitter and Josh Donaldson went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Cleveland Indians, 5-1, Wednesday night at Rogers Centre in Toronto. Tribe righty Trevor Bauer allowed five runs on six hits in 1 1/3 innings.

Here is a capsule look at the game after a DVR review of the Fox SportsTime Ohio telecast:

Locked in: The Blue Jays (76-57) won the final two of the three-game series. Overall, they have won 10 of 12 and lead the AL East by 1 1/2 games.

Time running out: The Indians (64-68) have lost two straight when they seemingly can't afford to lose two straight. They are on the fringe of the fringe in the race for the second AL wild card.

Stark contrast: The Indians periodically played as if they were stuck in neutral; the Blue Jays, as if they were in overdrive. The Blue Jays took the play to the Indians in almost every facet.

No contest: R.A. Dickey and his hard knuckleball vs. Indians batters.

Dickey gave up four singles, walked none and struck out six. He threw 68 of 92 pitches for strikes. He retired 14 straight between Carlos Santana's RBI single with two outs in the fourth inning and Jason Kipnis's single with one out in the ninth.

Francisco Lindor grounded into a 6-3 double play to end the game.

Yes, Dickey was outstanding. But he can't be allowed to saw through any lineup in a 92-pitch complete game. Tribe batters Nos. 3-7 combined to go 1-for-15 (Santana  single) with each finishing with single-digit pitches seen.  

Dickey (10-10, 4.09 ERA) has won seven straight decisions. The Blue Jays have won  nine consecutive games started by him.

Streaking: Santana, whose RBI single up the middle came as a right-handed batter, finished 1-for-3. He extended his hitting streak to 10 games, during which he is batting .333 with one homer, four doubles and 10 RBI.

Yikes: Bauer's line, which included one walk and two strikeouts, was no fluke: He simply didn't have it.

In the first inning, Bauer allowed two runs on three hits and one walk. Josh Donaldson and Troy Tulowitzki notched RBI singles.

In the second, Bauer allowed three straight one-out hits, the third a two-run double by Donaldson. Jeff Manship relieved. Later in the inning, Manship allowed a sacrifice fly* by Tulowitzki to close the book on Bauer.

The second straight hit off Bauer in the second inning was a single by lefty Ben Revere, who lined a 1-0 fastball up the middle.

Fox SportsTime Ohio anaylst Rick Manning said: "I don't want to say it again, but that's right down Broadway. Another pitch upstairs. Trevor will not be long for this game unless he gets the ball down....Everything is upstairs.''

Tribe pitching coach Mickey Callaway visited the mound.

Manning said: "(Toronto's) five hits are singles. But this team won't hit singles for long.''

The next batter, Donaldson, smoked a 2-1 breaking pitch off the left-field fence for the double to make it 4-0. Tribe left fielder Michael Brantley almost made the catch. 

Bauer (10-11, 4.56) threw 44 pitches.

Wild ride: Bauer's season has featured plenty of ups and downs. Here is a subjective assessment of each of his 27 starts:

1. Superb    6. Bad          11. Good        16. Good        21. Good         26. Superb

2. Good       7. Superb     12. Bad          17. Superb     22. Mediocre    27. Bad

3. Superb    8. Superb     13. Superb     18. Bad          23. Bad

4. Solid       9. Superb     14. Bad          19. Bad          24. Bad

5. Bad        10. Good      15. Mediocre    20. Superb    25. Superb

*Sacrifice fly in name only: It was the play that best captured the essence of the game, from both perspectives.

Tulowitzki popped Manship's 0-2 pitch into shallow right-center, where Tribe second baseman Jason Kipnis backpedaled and made the catch.

Manning said: "This shouldn't get it done by any means.''

Kipnis did not hesitate in throwing home but was inaccurate enough that Gomes needed to catch the ball in front of the plate and several steps up the line. Still, it would have been an out if not for Donaldson's terrific swerve around Gomes and head-first dive.

Notable: The Blue Jays won the season series, 4-3, despite being out-homered, 7-5. The Blue Jays lead the majors with 185 homers; the Indians have hit 109.

The RubberDucks (69-68) are tied for third in the Western Division of the Class AA Eastern League.

Four pitchers held Erie batters to just four hits, while third baseman Yandy Diaz had three hits as the RubberDucks broke a five-game losing streak Wednesday with a 6-1 victory over the SeaWolves at Canal Park in Akron.

Yandy DiazAkron RubberDucks 

Diaz scored on a double from designated hitter Bryson Myles in the first inning to give Akron a 1-0, and the RubberDucks never trailed.

They built on their lead in the third inning, with Diaz bringing in a run with a triple, outfielder Carlos Moncrief bringing in another with a sacrifice fly, and Myles making it 4-0 with a steal of home.

Akron made it 6-0 in the fourth inning with a triple from outfielder Jordan Smith, followed by a homer from catcher Jake Lowery.

Diaz finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Lowery was 2-for-4 with two RBI.

RubberDucks left-hander Shawn Morimando (10-12, 3.22 ERA) pitched six scoreless innings, giving up two hits, striking out five and walking four. Louis Head, Josh Martin and Enosil Tejeda each pitched an inning of relief.

The RubberDucks (69-68) are tied for third in the Western Division of the Class AA Eastern League, 8 1/2 games out of first and only three games away from elimination from the playoffs.

Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones was taken to the hospital on Wednesday evening, reportedly with a migraine headache, according to multiple reports.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones was taken to the hospital on Wednesday evening, reportedly with a migraine headache, according to multiple reports. 

Glenville coach Ted Ginn Jr., who coached Jones in high school, confirmed with Northeast Ohio Media Group that Jones was taken to the hospital with headaches. He had no further information on Jones' situation. 

Tony Zarrella, sports director for Cleveland 19 News, spoke to Jones' family and they indicated that he's still undergoing tests. 

The severity of Jones' headache is unclear, and so is what the situation means for the quarterback's status for Ohio State's season-opener at Virginia Tech on Monday. 

Jones is currently in the midst of a quarterback battle with J.T. Barrett after he took over late last season and helped Ohio State to the national title, winning all three of his first career starts, all in the postseason. 

Dave Briggs of the Toledo Blade spoke to Jones' mother, Florence, and she told him that "it's just a headache" and "he's good." 

Cardale Jones' mother, Florence: "He's good."

-- Dave Briggs (@DBriggsBlade) September 3, 2015

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said Wednesday that he has an idea of who he thought was going to take the first snap against the Hokies, but he added that both quarterbacks could play. 

Stay tuned with cleveland.com as we gather more on the situation. 

Here's what Trevor Bauer, Terry Francona, Jeff Manship, Abraham Almonte and Carlos Santana had to say about Wednesday's 5-1 loss to Toronto. Watch video

TORONTO -- Trevor Bauer is as analytical a pitcher as there is in the big leagues. Right now, he has no idea what's going on when he takes the mound.

On Wednesday night, he lasted 1 1/3 innings as the Indians lost to Toronto and knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, 5-1. Bauer allowed five runs on six hits and 44 pitches. He gave up two runs in the first and three in the second.

Here's what he had to say about his 11^th loss of the season.

On whether he had a location problem.

"Nope, I threw really good pitches. Two or three of the hits were on balls out of strike zone. Three or four were on balls on the edge of the strike zone. I threw a lot of quality pitches. They hit one ball hard. Unfortunately, the other five they didn't hit hard didn't go to someone."

So what exactly is the problem?

"All I can control is throwing quality pitches and trying to limit how hard the contact is. It's not like I'm missing in the middle. I give up hits when I'm ahead. I give up hits when I'm behind. There's not really one thing you can point to.

"It's not like everything is up. It's not like everything is down. The balls that weren't hit hard tonight didn't go to someone."

Did you have trouble keeping the ball down?

"I gave up three hits on balls to the bottom of the zone, too. It's not like everything is up or down or whatnot. I gave up three hits off a two seamer, a hit of a four seamer, cutter and a curveball. So it's not like it's one pitch.

"Everything was on the edge of the zone. I executed quality pitches and they didn't go to someone."

Manager Terry Francona

On Bauer's start

"Even warming up Mickey (Callaway, pitching coach) said the fastball was up. When he got into the game, he just couldn't drive it down and that was certainly the game plan against these guys. He wasn't able to get it there.

"The second inning, it just didn't look like it was getting better. Our bullpen did a great job of keeping it within striking distance."

Explanation: Francona used six relievers to finish the game. They threw 6 2/3 scoreless innings.

On R.A. Dickey, who threw a four-hit complete game against the Indians.

"Dickey was so good . . .He just threw a lot of strikes. The first time through the order you saw him show the fastball and then go to the knuckleball. Once he got rolling, for a ball to move that much and for him to command it that well, it was really impressive."

On Gavin Floyd making his first big-league appearance in over a year.

"On a tough night it was nice to see him pitch in a major league game."

Explanation: Floyd pitched a scoreless seventh inning for his first appearance in the big leagues since he injured his right elbow on June 19, 2014 in a start with Atlanta. This spring Floyd suffered the same injury with the Indians and it was not known if he'd be able to pitch this season.

Abraham Almonte

On Dickey's knuckleball.

"I've never seen a knuckleball before. The first time you see something new it's tough. It's not a fastball, change up or slider. It's something different and it was moving everywhere."

Carlos Santana

On Dickey's knuckleball.

"I've faced him before and tonight was the best I've seen him. Early in the game, he was throwing a lot of fastballs. That was a little bit of a surprise.

"I got the hit on a knuckleball. I swung early in the count because late in the count the ball has more life."

Explanation: Santana singled home Jason Kipnis with the Indians only run in the fourth inning. Santana, 2-for-14 lifetime against Dickey, extended his hitting streak to 10 games.

Jeff Manship

On relieving Bauer in the second inning.

"When you're in my role, you're ready at any point in the game. I've had to come into a game before in the first inning. When I was with the Twins I had to come into a game in the first inning with the bases and no one out. You just have to be ready at any point."

The Redskins issued a statement on behalf of Jessica McCloughan on Wednesday night in which she acknowledged making the remarks.

ASHBURN, Va. -- The wife of Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan has apologized for "unfounded" comments on her Twitter account that ESPN reporter Dianna Russini traded oral sex to win scoops.

ESPN later called the tweets "vulgar."

The Redskins issued a statement on behalf of Jessica McCloughan on Wednesday night in which she acknowledged making the remarks.

Jessica McCloughan's statement begins: "I deeply apologize for the disparaging remarks about an ESPN reporter on my personal Twitter account. The comment was unfounded and inappropriate, and I have the utmost respect for both the reporter and ESPN."

That apology never mentions Russini by name. But a statement from ESPN confirmed she was the target. It said, in part: "Dianna is an excellent reporter who should never have to be subjected to such vulgar comments."

Scot McCloughan is entering his first season as Washington's GM.

The New York Daily News reports that McCloughan's wife apparently was upset about Russini's recent report stating there were disagreements within the organization over the future of quarterback Robert Griffin III.

The offending tweets have since been deleted from Jessica McCloughan's Twitter feed.

Trevor Bauer couldn't get through the second inning and the Indians couldn't touch knuckleballer R.A. Dickey on Wednesday night at Rogers Centre.

TORONTO - Trevor Bauer didn't have it --- again.

This time walks and home runs had nothing to do with it. The Toronto Blue Jays simply hit him early and often Wednesday night at Rogers Centre on the way to a 5-1 victory.

Bauer (10-11, 4.56) lasted just 1 1/3 innings. He allowed five runs on six hits with one walk and two strikeouts. It was Bauer's third early exit in his last five starts. In that stretch he's had starts of 3 1/3, 1 2/3 and 1 1/3 innings.

It looked like Bauer was coming out of his funk when he beat the Angels on Sunday at Progressive Field. He allowed one run in eight innings with seven strikeouts in that game, but Wednesday he couldn't make it through the second inning.

It didn't help that Bauer's teammates had no chance against veteran knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Asked before the game how to hit a knuckleball, Michael Brantley said it took luck because, "I don't know where it's going, you don't know where it's going and he doesn't know where it's going."

Well, Dickey had a much better idea where the ball was fluttering to than the Indians as he threw a four-hitter for his second complete game of the season. He opened the game with nine straight outs before Jason Kipnis singled to start the fourth. Kipnis scored on singles by Francisco Lindor and Carlos Santana, but that was the extent of the Tribe's offense.

Dickey, after Santana's RBI single, retired 14 straight before Kipnis singled with one out in the ninth. Dickey (10-10, 4.09) is 7-0 in his last nine starts. He improved to 4-2 in 13 appearances, including seven starts, against the Indians.

Bauer found trouble immediately as Ben Revere started the game with a single, stole second and scored on Donaldson's single past first base. Bauer walked Jose Bautista and Troy Tulowitski singled to center to score Donaldson for a 2-0 lead.

The second inning proved no different than the first.

Josh Thobe and Revere singled with one out. Donaldson brought them home with a double to give him 111 RBI. Bauer was done for the night as Jeff Manship relieved. He loaded the bases with consecutive walks before Tulowitzki sent a fly ball to short right field.

Kipnis went back and caught the ball, but didn't get much on the throw home as Donaldson scored from third as he dove around catcher Yan Gomes. Kipnis should have let center fielder Abraham Almonte handle the ball, but might not have heard him because of the noise from the sellout crowd.

Manager Terry Francona stopped the Toronto offense right there with a conga line of six relievers, but Dickey never let the Tribe back into the game.

What it means

The Indians (64-68) lost the season series to Toronto, 3-4. They are 15-15 against the AL East and have started this nine-game trip with a 1-2 record.

The Blue Jays (76-57) retained their 1 1/2-game lead over the Yankees in the AL East. They have won nine of their last 11 and are 2-0 in September after going 21-6 in August.

Welcome back

Gavin Floyd, who underwent what some believed was season-ending surgery on his right elbow in spring training, made his 2015 debut by pitching a scoreless seventh inning.

It was Floyd's first appearance in the big leagues since June 19, 2014. Floyd, pitching for Atlanta against Washington at the time, suffered the same elbow injury he underwent surgery for in March. 

Thanks for coming

The Indians and Blue Jays drew a sellout crowd of 46,530 to Rogers Centre. The three-game series drew 134,529, including two sellouts.

What's next?

The Indians are off Thursday and open a three-game series against the Tigers at Comerica Park on Friday. Corey Kluber (8-13, 3.41 ERA) will start for the Indians. The Tigers have not announced a starter. SportsTime Ohio, WTAM and WMMS will carry the game.

Kluber is 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA in two starts against Detroit this season.

Check out news and notes from Week 1 of the high school football season 2015.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here are five things to know heading into Week 2 of the high school football season from reporter Joe Noga, who covers the North Coast League, Western Reserve Conference, Akron City Series and St. Ignatius. Check out his football beat notes every week.

1. While No. 1 ranked St. Ignatius ran past Normandy 63-7 in Week 1, it was starting tailback James Norris that limped away from the game with a left foot injury that has left his status for Friday's showdown with No. 2 Mentor uncertain.

Wildcats coach Chuck Kyle said the injury is not serious and the team will take a wait-and-see approach based on how his foot responds to therapy. Norris has a history of dealing with nagging injuries that kept him sidelined for a handful of games last season.

If Norris is unable to go Friday, Kyle will turn to a stable of backs that got carries against Normandy in a game where the Wildcats scored eight rushing touchdowns.

Ian Forkapa, Elijah Wahib and David Welcsh could figure into Kyle's game plan. Forkapa and Wahib scored two touchdowns apiece in Week 1.

Speed is what separates Norris from the other backs on the Wildcats' roster. Norris finished fourth in the state in the 100-meter dash in June.

"He's a guy who when he gets a seam, you say 'Woah,'" Kyle said. "He can really go. But the other guys bring to the table some good things, too."

2. Benedictine is coming off a nationally-televised opening win against Toledo Central Catholic, and must prepare to face a tough, physical Youngstown Ursuline squad that features sophomore quarterback Jared Fabray (6-foot-1, 170 pounds), who hit five of his first six passes in a 28-13 win against Youngstown East.

Bengals coach Joe Schaefer said containing Fabray will be no easy task.

"They're going to roll him out and get him out of the pocket," Schaefer said. "He's a good athlete. We've just got to make sure we play smart, stay in coverage and limit the big plays."

Schaefer said the visiting Bengals will look to defensive ends Deandre Penny and Brandon Quarterman to be aware of their pass rush lane integrity and work outside-in on the Irish's sophomore signal caller.

"They have young kids in key spots, but they're talented," Schaefer said. "You know it's going to be one of the most physically demanding games we'll play all year. It always is. They don't care what we did last week."

3. After scoring two touchdowns and rushing for about 90 yards in the first half of Archbishop Hoban's 49-0 win against Canton McKinley last Thursday, Ohio State commit Todd Sibley Jr. left the game with what coach Tim Tyrrell termed a "bruised shoulder" that did not appear to be serious.

Tyrrell said team doctors were being overly cautious with Sibley given the score of the game at the time.

Sibley later Tweeted that he felt fine, and that is good news for the Knights as they head toward a Friday matchup with No. 25 Buchtel. The Griffins feature powerful tailback Marquis Sams and a defense that limited Cleveland Heights to six points in an opening week road win.

My shoulder is alright! Thanks for everyone's concern and kind words! Great team win today boys!!!

— Todd Sibley™ (@ToddSib23) August 28, 2015

4. Patience was the key for Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin running back Brandon Mounts.

In a 41-35 upset win against Willoughby South, Mounts carried only four times, but gained 124 yards and scored the tying and go-ahead touchdowns in the fourth quarter to give new Lions coach Andrew Mooney his first win.

"He was patient," Mooney said. "He was playing special teams, not getting as many reps as he wanted as a tailback. Sometimes games go certain ways and you play to guys' strengths. When his number was called, he stepped up every time. It was very clear on the stat sheet that he did his job. The biggest thing he did on Friday was be a team player."

For his effort in the Willoughby South win, Mounts was selected one of cleveland.com's football players of the week.

5. Eastlake North kicker Chris Justice also got some well-deserved recognition after his game-winning, 45-yard field goal with three seconds left in the Rangers' 38-35 win against Westlake.

Video of Justice's play was chosen as the Top Play of the Week in a vote by fans on cleveland.com.

North first-year coach Shawn Dodd said Justice has worked hard with kicking coaches and soccer coaches to improve his skills.

"He knocks them down from 50-plus in practice," Dodd said. "He's been very consistent. We felt comfortable in pregame. We were confident on that last drive that if we got the ball to the middle of the field he could get it."

For Dodd, Friday's script couldn't have gone any sweeter. Winning in dramatic fashion was better than he could have ever imagined.

"I was euphoric," he said "It was numbing. Our principal was crying. All my high school buddies were there. I've lived in this community my whole life. My family is here. It was beyond special."

For more high school sports news, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Contact high school sports reporter Joe Noga on Twitter (@JoeNogaCLE), by email (jnoga@cleveland.com) or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Get live updates and chat as the Browns wrap up their preseason against the Chicago Bears on Thursday night.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns and Bears put the wraps on their 2015 preseason schedules tonight at Soldier Field in Chicago. The Browns open the regular season on Sept. 13 in New York against the Jets.

Join in the discussion during the game with live updates and chat with other fans. I'll be in the comments throughout the game, plus you'll see Tweets from Mary Kay Cabot, Tom Reed and others. The game will be broadcast live on WEWS Channel 5 beginning at 8 p.m.

By the way, you should like my page on Facebook.

The Buckeyes put together a little something for Monday's opener in Blacksburg.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- So Ohio State did what it does. Beyond play football, that's try to get fans excited about football.

So here is Ohio State's official trailer for Monday's game at Virginia Tech.

Find all the info on the game here.

Check out some other parts of our OSU coverage Thursday.

* DT Tommy Schutt overdue to reach his potential

* Over/under on Joshua Perry tackles 

* The skill that might get Parris Campbell on the field Monday

* Everything to know from Urban Meyer's radio show

* The national experts who aren't picking Ohio State to win it

* We take on readers with our college football picks

* Outrageous predictions for Ohio State-Virginia Tech

* Buck Dynasty series

Michigan's football program opens the Jim Harbaugh era tonight at 8:30 against Utah. The game will be shown on Fox Sports 1. Join the live chat and see updates from the game in Salt Lake City.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Michigan football program opens the Jim Harbaugh era tonight at Utah. Kickoff in Salt Lake City is scheduled at 8:30 p.m., and the game will be shown on Fox Sports 1.

Harbaugh said his quarterbacks, Jake Rudock and Shane Morris, know who will start against the Utes, but he won't make his decision public until one of them takes the field tonight.

Northeast Ohio Media Group Ohio State reporters Doug Lesmerises, Ari Wasserman and Bill Landis will weigh in during the game in the comments below. Join them and others observing the game in the comments, and add your thoughts on how the Wolverines look in their first game of the 2015 football season.

Catch all the Michigan-Utah pregame coverage on mlive.com. Also, here is a look at Michigan's schedule, roster and 2014 stats.

Browns receiver Terrelle Pryor is still suffering from his strained hamstring but will see limited action against the Bears tonight.

CHICAGO -- Browns receiver Terrelle Pryor will play tonight versus the Bears in preseason finale in Chicago despite not being fully recovered from his strained hamstring.

Pryor, who will not start the game, said Tuesday that he's probably only about 70-80% and that he hopes he doesn't get many reps.

But he said he'd like to play and that he doesn't want to make the roster on potential.

This will mark Pryor's preseason debut.

Coach Mike Pettine said the game will not "make or break'' Pryor but that he would like to see him play. Pryor knows he's on the bubble to make the final 53-man roster by Saturday's 4 p.m.

Browns receiver Dwayne Bowe, who's missed most of the preseason with a strained hamstring, will start the game alongside most of the backups. Bowe started last week's game in Tampa, and failed to catch any of the three passes thrown his way. He dropped the first one and had a miscommunication with Josh McCown on another.

On the Browns' pre-game radio show, WEWS analyst Solomon Wilcots said coaches told him that Bowe needs to deliver against the Bears to prove he deserves a spot on the 53-man roster.

But Bowe signed a two-year $12.5 million contract in the offseason -- including $9 million guaranteed, making it highly unlikely the Browns will cut him.

Other bigger names in the starting lineup include running back Terrance West and tight end Rob Housler.    

About 31 of the 75 Browns on the roster will not play in Chicago, including most of the starters.

 The following Browns are not expected to play due to injury:  Johnny Manziel (elbow), Marlon Moore (ribs),  Justin Gilbert (hip flexor), Pierre Desir (concussion), Robert Nelson Jr. (hamstring), Duke Johnson Jr. (concussion), K'Waun Williams (abdominal), Charles Gaines (hamstring), Nate Orchard (back), and Barkevious Mingo (knee).

The following starters and key players are expected to sit out the game:   Travis Benjamin, Josh McCown,  Andrew Hawkin, Taylor Gabriel, Tramon Williams, Joe Haden, Donte Whitner, Isaiah Crowell, Tashaun Gipson,  Alex Mack, Danny Shelton, Mitchell Schwartz, Joe Thomas, Joel Bitonio, John Greco, Jim Dray, Gary Barnidge, Brian Hartline, Desmond Bryant, Randy Starks, and Paul Kruger.

Others expected to rest include guard Cam Erving, linebacker Craig Robertson and most of the other starting linebackers.

The full expected starting offense is as follows: WR Josh Lenz, LT Andrew McDonald , LG  Vinston Painter , C Eric Olsen , RG  Karim Barton, RT  Darrian Miller, TE  Rob Housler , WR  Dwayne Bowe, QB Thad Lewis , RB  Terrance West , and FB Malcolm Johnson.

The expected defensive starting lineup is as follows: RE  John Hughes, NT  Jamie Meder , LE Billy Winn, OLB Dylan Wynn , ILB Tank Carder, ILB Hayes Pullard III , OLB  Mike Reilly, CB  Kendall James, CB  Joe Rankin, FS  Jordan Poyer, and SS Ibraheim Campbell .