BEREA: Cody Kessler’s body responded well enough to recent practices for the Browns to stick to the plan they formulated early this week.
The Browns (0-5) will start Kessler at quarterback Sunday when they face the Tennessee Titans (2-3) on the road despite the painful injury the rookie third-round draft pick suffered on the left side of his chest and rib area this past weekend in a 33-13 loss to the New England Patriots.
“I know Cody is ready to play,” coach Hue Jackson said Thursday after practice.
Kessler fully participated in practice after being limited Wednesday. He’s still feeling some discomfort when he throws, but he’s feeling better. He’s receiving treatment two or three times a day.
“It kind of reminds you it’s there a little bit on some throws,” Kessler said. “But, no, it’s been fine.”
Jackson said he didn’t know whether veteran quarterback Josh McCown would be available to play Sunday. McCown has missed the past three games after suffering a fractured left collarbone Sept. 18 in a 25-20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He returned to practice this week and was a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday.
If McCown isn’t cleared to play, Jackson said the Browns would use “a combination of whatever we need to do” to back up Kessler. Translation: Rookie fifth-round pick Kevin Hogan and quarterback-turned-wide receiver Terrelle Pryor would fill in for Kessler if needed.
After quarterbacks Robert Griffin III (fractured left shoulder) and McCown were hurt in the first two games, Kessler started the past three games and performed well each time. He has completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 529 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. He has posted a passer rating of 87.9, taken four sacks and fumbled four times, losing one.
“He is getting better,” Jackson said. “He is understanding our system, how to play within our system, where to deliver the ball to. He has started to play in a rhythm that runs our offense and a rhythm that works for him.”
Has Kessler met Jackson’s expectations?
“It is still early, but I think he is doing some good things,” Jackson replied. “He is getting better. Obviously, the more these young guys play, the better they will get. He has done some things well, but he has to continue to grow.”
Before the Patriots turned Sunday’s game into a route, Kessler capped a drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Andrew Hawkins to tie the score 7-7 with 6:09 left in the first quarter.
But the next time the Browns had possession, Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower blitzed without being blocked and crushed Kessler with 1:20 left in the first quarter. X-rays were negative, but Kessler couldn’t return to the game because throwing on the sideline caused too much pain.
“It felt better today and it keeps feeling better each day, which is improvement,” Kessler said. “I think that’s what made Coach Jackson feel more comfortable is that I told him, ‘Hey, it’s feeling better and better each day.’ It keeps improving, and today it felt great. Just a little discomfort here and there for some things, but I’m excited and ready to go.”
Jackson is hoping Kessler can pick up where he left off before the injury.
“That is what he wants to do,” Jackson said. “That is what we want to do on offense is go back to that drive we had [against the Patriots] before he got hurt and play in that kind of rhythm and that fashion.”
Kessler is relieved to be able to keep playing. He wasn’t so sure he would be able to bounce back quickly after experiencing severe pain and shortness of breath after the injury.
“Obviously, last week was unfortunate,” Kessler said. “The game got cut a little short for me, so it’s exciting to get back out there.”
Kessler’s teammates are impressed by his resilience.
“That says a lot about his character, toughness and leadership really,” right guard John Greco said. “ ... I am really impressed with Cody’s ability to come back in. You don’t hear him complain, and you don’t hear him making any excuses.”
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Browns blog at www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.