The Cleveland Browns have no choice but to turn once again to Brandon Weeden as their starting quarterback.
With Jason Campbell going through the NFL’s concussion protocol, Browns coach Rob Chudzinski announced Wednesday that Weeden, the on-again, off-again starter the past two seasons, would assume the role on Sunday for a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Campbell is not ready to practice, Chudzinski said, after he was injured in the third quarter of last Sunday’s 27-11 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers when he took a shot to the helmet from Steelers cornerback William Gay. Campbell is listed as doubtful.
The injury forced the Browns (4-7), who has lost five of their past six games, to make their fourth quarterback change this season. They’ve gone from Weeden to Brian Hoyer to Campbell and now back to Weeden.
“It’s not easy,” Chudzinski said. “And it’s not ideal. But it is what it is right now.”
Weeden was booed by Browns fans when he entered the game after Campbell’s injury on Sunday. Weeden completed 13 of 30 passes for 209 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
In seven games this season, Weeden has six touchdown passes and seven interceptions. His 66.0 quarterback rating is third lowest in the league, ahead of only Geno Smith of the New York Jets and Josh Freeman of the Minnesota Vikings.
“Everybody realizes that Brandon needs to play well to win,” Chudzinski said.
If Campbell is unavailable this week, recently signed Alex Tanney would serve as Weeden’s backup.