The Browns have their quarterback for Sunday.
Cody Kessler will start against the Dallas Cowboys, head coach Hue Jackson said Friday afternoon.
"He has some uncanny ability. He has some moxie, some poise and he has demonstrated that. He has done some good things in games, but you have to do it over a number of opportunities to really know that it is truly in there," Jackson said.
"That's why I need to keep playing him to evaluate this and to know what we see is right and for sure. I will not get to know these things if I do not play him. It is best to let us find out. We understand the situation we are in. The beautiful part about it all is our team does not look at it as if our coaches are not giving ourselves the best chance to win. We feel like he will help us, and then we have a very capable guy in Josh, if something was to happen, that can go in there and play as well. I feel good about where we are right now."
Kessler, who is set to make his sixth start, was sidelined with a concussion last week.
"I look at it as another opportunity. It's exciting and that's all you can really ask for you know as a player is opportunities," Kessler said. "My process and preparation all week is the same as the previous weeks. It would be exciting, obviously being out for a week, to get back out there and get a chance to make some plays and get some things going."
Initially thrown into the fire after injuries to Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown, the third-round draft pick from USC has show poise and promise thus far, completing 67 percent of his passes for 947 yards, four touchdowns and just one interception.
Kessler received the nod over the veteran McCown, who returned from a shoulder/collarbone injury against the Ravens in Week 2.
Jackson said McCown — who started last week against the Jets — has handled the decision like a pro.
"I think Josh understands the situation we are in. He has been doing this for 15 years, and I appreciate Josh. I know what Josh means to our football team and to the guys in the locker room. At the same time, as I am evaluating our team as we continue to move forward, there are a lot of things I want to find out and know," Jackson said.
"The more I can see guys play, the better decisions I can make as we move forward. It is tough because Josh has done some great work for me and for this team and for our offense. I keep talking about the long-term picture for myself and our organization of knowing and seeing and making sure of where we are. That is really important."
Kessler said "every game" is an opporuntity to help pain what that picture might look like in the future.
"That is how you have to approach it as a player. Whether it is one game or a full play or a couple plays here and there, there are so many good athletes and players in this league. It is tough to be successful and you have to work really hard at it. For me, my approach has been the same. You know, these last five weeks that I got a chance to play and to start going into this week," he said.
"Whatever happens moving forward, I just prepare the same way and approach it as an opportunity because you never know how many you are going to get. So, my process and my preparation has been that to prepare as the starter every week. And to get another chance, another opportunity this weekend is exciting for me and you know, I am just going to continue to take it the same way and treat it the same way."
