The Cleveland Browns have inserted as many quarterbacks into their lineup this season as they have played games. Cody Kessler is stopping that trend in its tracks on Sunday when he returns to the field. Hue Jackson said the rookie quarterback is “ready to go” against the Tennessee Titans.
Kessler left Cleveland’s Week 5 matchup with the New England Patriots after suffering a chest injury in the first quarter of an eventual 33-13 loss. He’ll return to the field on Sunday when the Browns travel to Nashville for a showdown with the Tennessee Titans.
In three games, Kessler has completed two-thirds of his passes but only thrown for a pair of touchdowns. He’s limited turnovers, but also gifted the Patriots two points with a regrettable backwards pass that wound up bouncing through his own end zone.
He’ll have some much-needed support on the offensive line in Week 6. Second-year offensive lineman Cameron Erving also earned Jackson’s “ready to go” seal of approval and should play against the Titans.
The Browns should also have Week 2 starter Josh McCown available. McCown missed three weeks due to an injury to his non-throwing shoulder. The veteran quarterback helped lead Cleveland out to a 20-0 lead over the Ravens in that start before falling short in an eventual defeat.
Kessler’s health and the probable return of McCown made veteran backup Charlie Whitehurst expendable. The journeyman passer was released on Tuesday in favor of practice squad quarterback Kevin Hogan. If Hogan finds his way onto the field, he’ll be the sixth player to throw a pass for the team this fall.