Brian Hoyer will start for Cleveland Browns this week

Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer (6) throws during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday, Cleveland Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski declined to name a starter between Brian Hoyer and Brandon Weeden for Week 4’s big AFC North game against the Cincinnati Bengals, but it was only because he was waiting for an evaluation on Weeden’s thumb injury. That injury was what allowed Hoyer to start on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, and he led the team to victory despite throwing three interceptions and averaging 5.9 yards per attempt. Hoyer was aided by a bad Vikings secondary, but he did play well in crunch time, delivered some sharp throws, he made the Browns a more excited offense, and he did lead them to victory.

Per the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Brian Hoyer will be getting the start for the Cleveland Browns against the Bengals, but it’s because Weeden won’t be able to play in Week 4 either- not necessarily because Hoyer played well. The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram’s Scott Petrak tweeted that Weeden’s thumb still isn’t ready, but Hoyer most likely would have started anyway.

If Hoyer can play well against a very tough Cincinnati Bengals defense that has uber-talented players like Michael Johnson and Geno Atkins, then he’ll almost certainly lock up the Browns starting job. While I wasn’t exactly impressed with Hoyer’s performance against Minnesota, he did get the job done.

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