CLEVELAND (AP) — Josh McCown will miss at least one game with an injured left shoulder, forcing the Browns to start their third quarterback in three games.
McCown stayed in Sunday’s loss to Baltimore despite getting hurt in the first quarter and taking several hard shots. The 37-year-old was filling in for Robert Griffin III, who broke a bone in his left shoulder in the season opener and will miss at least eight games.
The injuries will force the Browns to play rookie Cody Kessler this week at Miami. He will be the 26th quarterback to start for Cleveland since 1999.
Kessler struggled during training camp and the exhibition season while learning coach Hue Jackson’s offense. Kessler was a surprise third-round pick by the Browns, who also lost starting center Cam Erving (bruised lung) and rookie defensive end Carl Nassib (broken hand) against the Ravens.
The team also signed free agent quarterback Charlie Whitehurst. Whitehurst worked out for Cleveland on Monday.
The 34-year-old Whitehurst spent last season with Tennessee and Indianapolis. He played in four games for the Colts before being placed on injured reserve.
Whitehurst has gone 2-7 in 9 career NFL starts. He made five starts for the Titans in 2014.
The 6’4” 220-pounder was drafted in the third round by San Diego in 2006. Whitehurst played at Clemson.