Browns quarterback Cody Kessler missed most of the team’s 33-13 loss to the Patriots last Sunday after departing in the first quarter with a rib injury, but the rookie will return to the lineup in Week 6. Head coach Hue Jackson announced Thursday that Kessler will start Sunday against the Titans.
“Cody Kessler practiced full. I think he’s ready to go,” said Jackson (via Patrick Maks of the team’s website).
Had Kessler not progressed this week, it’s unclear who would have started in Tennessee. The status of Josh McCown, whose Week 2 broken collarbone opened the door for Kessler, is up in the air as Sunday approaches. The only other signal-caller on the roster is rookie Kevin Hogan, whom the team promoted from the practice squad when it released veteran Charlie Whitehurst on Tuesday.
Despite beginning the year third behind the now-injured Robert Griffin III and McCown on Cleveland’s depth chart, Kessler has fared well during his initial NFL action. The third-round pick from USC has completed 54 of 81 passes (66.7 percent) for 529 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in starts against the Dolphins, Redskins and Patriots. The Browns lost each of those games and have begun a league-worst 0-5, and now the Kessler-led club will try to break into the win column against the 2-3 Titans.
Yea!!!!!!!!!! Get ’em, Cody!