Having observed a spate of quarterback injuries unlike much the NFL’s seen in recent memory, the Browns look to have one of their initial top-two options back in the fold come Sunday.
Josh McCown has been cleared medically to play after being sidelined for five weeks with a broken collarbone, Pat McManaman of ESPN.com reports. He would be in line to start against the Jets for a team that’s endured a brutal string of injuries to its contingent of quarterbacks. Hue Jackson, though, said Wednesday he won’t name a starter until McCown makes it through a whole week of practice.
Having six players take snaps in just seven games, the Browns turned to practice squad promotion Kevin Hogan last week after an injury forced Cody Kessler out. The third-round rookie remains in concussion protocol, and the Browns have just Hogan and recent waiver claim Joe Callahan as healthy options if McCown experiences a setback.
The team resisted trade overtures for the 37-year-old McCown this offseason only to see him go down in his first start — during Week 2, when he led the Browns to a 20-0 lead in a game the Ravens came back to win 25-20. McCown threw for 260 yards and two touchdowns in his one-game cameo this season, doing so after completing 63 percent of his passes and throwing 12 touchdown passes compared to four interceptions in 2015.