As a result of these injuries, the Browns are expected to start rookie quarterback Cody Kessler for the team’s third game against the Miami Dolphins.
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Sunday’s loss to the Ravens goes down as another ugly footnote, with Baltimore erasing a 20-0 deficit to topple the Browns 25-20 in a game that ended with a Josh McCown interception deep in Ravens territory. Robert Griffin III broke a bone in his left shoulder in the opener September 11 in Philadelphia. Cleveland’s own rookie quarterback, Cody Kessler, is set to start in Week 3, but there have been few indications that he is ready for the role, so the 34-year-old Whitehurst will provide some insurance and, perhaps, a Week 4 option. Jackson said the team will look to add a veteran to its roster, but the job for now belongs to Kessler, who struggled during training camp and the exhibition season.
The Browns (0-2) expect McCown back later this season, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
“I would not want it to be this way, but it is going to be good to get out and see him play”, Jackson said. Say what you want about the Dolphins, but they lost to two Super Bowl contenders on the road by one score. “That’s why I’ve been doing what I’ve been doing”.
Kessler and Corey Coleman worked out in California together to prepare for the draft. “Here we go. Here we go”.
Three times he hit tight end Dennis Pitta to move the chains on third down. I am happy with the way that the guys responded with passion and energy, but we came out just a little bit short.
“I’ll be ready to go”, Kessler said.
“It’s a violent game and injuries happen and things you can’t prevent, ” he said. “It is unfortunate. It is something I told our team, ‘We have to do everything we can to protect our quarterback.’ It is tough”. For Cleveland, that won’t be a problem since it will give McCown and Griffin enough time to fully recover and bounce back to their quarterback duties. “We’ll see what that statement is all about”.
McCown returned for the Browns’ first possession of the second quarter and did not miss another play – although at times it appeared he might.
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Jackson said when he drafted Kessler ahead of higher-rated quarterbacks the media would have to “trust me on Kessler”. He became the first rookie quarterback since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to start and win his first two career games with no turnovers (per ESPN). The Ravens did manage to take five minutes off the clock with a strong running game late in the fourth quarter and Harbaugh hopes to build off that. Their defense has also played pretty good if you forget about the 20 point outburst early in the Browns game. We are going to do that, but we will figure that out as we go. “You would love to have that luxury (of signing a veteran), but sometimes, you’re not afforded that so we’ll do whatever we need to do as we go forward”.
