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McCown is recovering from injuries to his right shoulder and a rib after a season-worst pounding he took in St. Louis. McCown was sacked four times and hit on at least seven other occasions, per Rams count.
"Last week, we as an offensive line didn't block as well as our expectations are and got Josh hit too much," left tackle Joe Thomas said. "That's the first time, I think, that's happened this year. We're disappointed in how we played as a unit. We're going to hope to play better this week and protect Josh the way we have previous weeks."
Since returning from a Game 1 concussion, McCown has been sacked 21 times in five games while averaging 42 pass attempts. McCown's passer rating in those games is 96.7, but he has only the one win in Baltimore to show for it.
According to ESPNCleveland.com's Tony Grossi, Thomas said he expects McCown to play on Sunday.
"He's definitely a tough guy. He's old school. He's going to do what he has to do to get out there, no matter what the circumstances. Until they tell me he won't be out there, I'd expect him to be out there," he said.
Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo told Grossi he doesn't believe a lack of practice time this week would affect McCown's ability to execute the game plan.
"With Josh, if it were a second- or third-year quarterback without the reps, I would be a little bit more concerned, but Josh has had almost all the one reps since training camp, so that doesn't concern me too much," he said.
Meanwhile, the NFL "investigation" into Johnny Manziel's domestic argument incident on Oct. 12 is expected to be wrapped up today.
Again, more on the QB sitaution after today's practice. ...
With receiver Andrew Hawkins still in concussion protocol, the suspense builds if Dwayne Bowe might be active Sunday. He has been inactive in four of the last five games.
Is he not practicing well? "Dwayne is doing everything we have asked him to do," DeFilippo said. "He has done everything we have asked him to do. I am fine with Dwayne in practice." …
But not fine enough to activate him unless injuries require it.