College Football

Cleveland Browns: Should Cody Kessler play in final two games?

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:47 p.m. ET

Fansided, Steven Kubitza/FanSided via Dawg Pound Daily

The Cleveland Browns announced Robert Griffin III will start at quarterback this Sunday, but Cody Kessler is ready to go if called upon by Hue Jackson.

The Cleveland Browns are continuing the dive down into rock bottom as only two games remain in the quest to pick up one win in 2016.

Games against the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills had some fans feeling optimistic about a win, but poor performances on both sides of the ball doomed the Browns early on in both contests.

A common theme in those two games was the presence of Robert Griffin III, who had two absolutely terrible outings in his first two games back since Week 1. He has no control over the play of the Browns’ defense, but he did nothing to help the offense put up any sort of fight in either game.

This leads us to the announcement that he will start once again this Sunday against the San Diego Chargers.

QB Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) will start vs. San Diego. #SDvsCLE

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 19, 2016

While Griffin is indeed the starter, it looks like Cody Kessler will be replacing him at some point in the final two games. Griffin has looked atrocious in his time back from injury, while Kessler had the Browns playing NFL-level football on offense.

The problem is that Kessler has dealt with concussions this season, and since science is actually being used now, we know that head injuries are not something to take lightly.

Kessler is cleared from the concussion protocol, but that doesn’t mean he should be put back on the field in what will be a meaningless game in the grand scheme of his career. And with the offense only getting worse, one can imagine Kessler will be hitting the turf often if he gets into the game. And in the cold weather of Cleveland and Pittsburgh, the field will not be as soft as usual, thus increasing the chances of a concussion if his head hits the turf.

So while fans may want anyone but Griffin in the game, playing Kessler may only do damage to his career at this point. Griffin was signed to be the starter, and at 0-14, he should continue to start and play. No need to put Kessler, who opened the season as the number three quarterback, back on the field in as tough a situation as any player, let alone a rookie, can be put in.