Josh McCown has been medically cleared to play. But before the Browns name a starting quarterback against the Jets this weekend, head coach Hue Jackson made clear he wants to see how the veteran practices first.
"We'll see as we go through the week. It's good to have him out there," Jackson said Wednesday. "He's been out there the last few weeks throwing around but he's definitely been medically cleared. We'll just see how everything goes and go from there."
McCown, who was a full participant in Wednesday's practice for the first time since suffering a shoulder/collarbone injury against Baltimore in Week 2, echoed a similar sentiment.
"As we move along through the week, coach will make his decision on what he sees best for the team. My job is to go out and do everything I can in practice to get myself ready. If it moves in that direction, that will be coach's decision," he said. "Right now, it is just going out and putting good reps together in practice, what feels good."
To be sure, McCown's return to full action is a welcomed one for a team that's been trying to overcome an uncanny array of setbacks at the position.
"I like any of our quarterbacks if they have a chance to play," Jackson said, laughing. "Again, he's a veteran player and knows how to play and knows our system … will it be a boost? It's a boost to have any of our quarterbacks playing right now."
Indeed, the Browns have had to play six quarterbacks in seven weeks because of injuries, lost rookie Cody Kessler to a concussion last week against the Bengals. And Kessler, who has started the past five games for Cleveland, remains in the league's concussion protocol.
Against that backdrop, it's unclear who will suit up under center this weekend.
Fellow rookie Kevin Hogan stepped in for Kessler last week and combined for 204 yards, while the Browns also acquired former Saints rookie Joe Callahan on Monday off waivers.
McCown, of course, would offer the shorthanded Browns a veteran presence and proven playmaker.
"I think it will be a huge boost. He obviously has played well for us when he has been in these past couple years," left tackle Joe Thomas said,
"To be able to have him back would be awesome since the quarterbacks that are healthy right now do not have nearly as much experience that Josh does."
McCown, who started Week 2 after quarterback Robert Griffin III was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, passed for 260 yards and two touchdowns against the Ravens, which watched Cleveland suffer a last-minute defeat.
Now, he could be poised to help the Browns notch their first win of the season.
"It's all hands on deck with everybody. We need everybody that can play and can be available to go out there and play their best. Like I said, it's no different for myself. You do everything you can to help until you're available. When you're available, if your number's called, you go out there and help that way," he said.
"Obviously, for me, personally, that's my last bit of action and it certainly lingers because it was a ton of good early in that game but didn't finish the way we wanted it to. We do need to take another step and get over that hump.
"Whether it's me on the field helping us get over that hump or me on the sideline helping whoever is out there get over the hump, that's the key," McCown continued. "Just us come together and try to find a way to get this done."
