Johnny Bench Warmer? Pipkin taking first team reps at practice UPDATE: Nope!

Maybe Johnny Manziel running off the field was a big deal after all.

The Montreal Alouettes quarterback was pulled on the last play of the Saturday’s loss to the Toronto Argonauts as he tried to stage a desperate, last-minute comeback. Instead of letting Manziel finish the game, head coach Mike Sherman inserted Antonio Pipkin – who apparently has a stronger arm – to throw a Hail Mary. Pipken was sacked, cementing the Alouette loss.

Manziel left the field immediately after the final play instead of sticking around to shake hands as players usually do.

Now comes word that Pipkin is taking first-team reps at practice.

Let me stress it’s very early on day one of practice, but in warmups, Antonio Pipkin, not Johnny Manziel, was taking first-team reps. #AlsMTL

— Herb Zurkowsky (@HerbZurkowsky1) October 23, 2018

Manziel finished 23-of-30 passing for 220 yards with a touchdown and interception while rushing for 38 yards on four carries in the loss to Toronto. Manziel is now is 0-6 as the Alouettes’ starter: the Montreal record is 0-10 set by Carroll Williams (1967-68) while the league mark is 0-11 held by George Herring (1958-59, B.C.-Saskatchewan).

UPDATE: Errrr, maybe not.

Manziel taking first-team reps. No QB controversy here. #AlsMTL

— Herb Zurkowsky (@HerbZurkowsky1) October 23, 2018