CLEVELAND — The Browns are defending their handling of Johnny Manziel’s late-season concussion.

The team issued a statement on Tuesday saying Manziel was diagnosed with a concussion on Dec. 30 by an independent neurologist, countering an NFL Network report that they lied about the injury to cover up the troubled quarterback showing up intoxicated for practice.

“Johnny Manziel came to our facility on the morning of December 30th and complained of concussion symptoms,” the statement read. “He was tested by an independent neurologist and entered the league’s concussion protocol. He remained in the protocol until January 12th after being cleared by the independent neurologist.”

The league’s in-house network reported citing an unnamed Browns player that the team “lied” to try and protect Manziel, who is being investigated by Dallas police on allegations of domestic violence.

Manziel missed the team’s season finale against Pittsburgh because of the concussion. He also didn’t report to a scheduled medical checkup for his head injury on Jan. 3 amid a report he was spotted partying in Las Vegas. The team did not know his exact whereabouts that day.