COLUMBUS – Both of Ohio’s pro football teams are dealing with injuries to key players.
With Browns rookie quarterback Cody Kessler in concussion protocol, Josh McCown will start Sunday against the New York Giants.
Meanwhile, Bengals running back Giovani Bernard has a torn anterior cruciate ligament, but star receiver A.J. Green might be able to return from a hamstring injury this season.
Kessler sustained his second concussion since Oct. 23 in Sunday’s 24-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, dropping the Browns to 0-11. Coach Hue Jackson does not know when — or if — Kessler will return this season, and added that will be determined by the team’s medical staff.
The third-round pick, 0-8 as a starter, was being dragged down by Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier when he was also hit by Lawrence Timmons. Jackson isn’t sure if Kessler suffered the concussion on Timmons’ blow or when his head hit the ground.
McCown replaced him and was roughed up as well by the Steelers, who had eight sacks after entering the game with 13 all season.
Coach Marvin Lewis said on Monday that Bernard will have surgery soon on his torn ACL, suffered on the final drive on Sunday.
The Bengals (3-6-1) are a long shot for the playoffs after a 16-12 loss to Buffalo at Paul Brown Stadium.
Green also will be out when the Bengals play at Baltimore (5-5) on Sunday with what amounts to their last chance to get back into the division race.
Green hurt his right hamstring on the Bengals’ first pass of the game.