Browns to Start Jason Campbell vs. Patriots

After suffering a concussion in the Cleveland Browns‘ week 12 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jason Campbell was forced to sit out of last week’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fortunately for the Browns, Campbell’s been cleared to play this week and they need him more than ever after Brandon Weeden also went down with a concussion in last week’s defeat.

According to ESPN.com, on Friday, the Browns announced that Campbell would get the start at quarterback this Sunday against the New England Patriots, despite being limited in practice earlier this week. Considering the Browns don’t have many options at the position, they were likely as thrilled as Campbell was with his health clearance.

“It was tough to sit out,” Campbell said. “I thought it was important to get back playing, but at the same time there’s life after football, so I wanted to make sure that part was handled correctly before I got back on the field.”

If Campbell hadn’t been cleared to play, the Browns would have had to start either Alex Tanney or Caleb Hanie, both of whom they signed just two weeks ago. Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski said he would announce who would serve as Campbell’s backup before Sunday’s game.

“Whatever happens during the game, we have to be ready for,” Chudzinski said. “That’s part of this league.”

While Campbell’s clearance is certainly good news for Browns fans, it probably won’t effect the line much, if at all, against the Patriots this week. The Browns only received strong production from the quarterback position this season when Brian Hoyer was healthy, but Weeden and Campbell have basically been interchangeable. With the Patriots starting to hit their stride, it likely wouldn’t matter who was under center for Cleveland, so even with Campbell back in the lineup, look for the Pats to cover -11 points this week.