Jason Campbell will start, has been cleared
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jason Campbell (17) throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jason Campbell was initially iffy to play this week against the New England Patriots, and that led to plenty of fear regarding the Browns quarterback situation due to Brandon Weeden’s concussion in last week’s disappointing loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Alex Tanney was left as the only quarterback on the Browns roster before the team decided to sign career backup Caleb Hanie as insurance, but thankfully the Browns won’t have to resort to starting either “trick shot” or Hanie on Sunday.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot reports that the Browns have medically cleared Jason Campbell from the concussion he suffered two weeks ago against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he will start against the Patriots this week. That’s excellent news for the Browns, and Campbell’s return to health represents the best-case scenario for the Browns at the QB position.
Campbell has been solid this season, and I think he’s a great stopgap QB for the Browns going into next season, since I expect them to draft a QB like Derek Carr. A veteran who I’ve long rooted for, Campbell was horrid against the Cincinnati Bengals, but he’s been very good in all of the other games he’s played in this season. That debacle against Cincy has crushed his overall stats for the season, but Campbell has still done an impressive job and is obviously a better passer than Weeden.