Photo Credit: David Richard/ AP

Today marked the second time in two months that Cleveland Browns quarterback Cody Kessler left a game under concussion protocol. His teammate and receiver Terrelle Pryor sounded frustrated with the team’s poor QB protection.


Kessler exited Sunday’s 24-9 loss to the Steelers in the third quarter, after his head bounced off the turf with a hit from Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons. The rookie sat for the rest of the game, and head coach Hue Jackson said there’s now a “possibility” that the concussion will shut him down for the rest of the year. Kessler missed one game after being diagnosed with a concussion in Week 7 against the Bengals, but has played in every game since.


After the game, Pryor was clearly irritated with the quality of the offensive line, and the front office that put it together. “We can’t keep letting our guys get hit,” said Pryor, who has taken snaps at quarterback this year. When reporters asked him what he thought could be done, he responded, “Why don’t you talk to our management? It’s a question for them ... Somebody’s got to say it.”

The Browns quarterback carousel—six have played so far this season—has grown both by injury and incompetence, but the offensive line has been exceptionally bad. They gave up eight sacks today to a Steelers defense that entered the game with a total of 13 for the entire season.

Cleveland’s quarterbacks can at least be thankful that there are only five more games of this; with today’s loss, the 0-11 Browns were officially eliminated from playoff contention.