BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns already had their work cut out facing the No. 1 passing offense in the NFL Sunday in Tampa.

Now, it will be all that much tougher. Starting cornerback E.J. Gaines, who was replacing injured starter Terrance Mitchell (broken wrist), came to work Thursday morning complaining of concussion symptoms and was placed into the concussion protocol. He will sit out Sunday's game against the 2-3 Bucs.

"Yeah, did not take a hit or anything like that,'' said coach Hue Jackson. "Just kind of strange, but that is how that stuff works. We will have to work through it."

He said T.J. Carrie will start opposite Denzel Ward, and Briean Boddy-Calhoun will replace him as the nickel back.

Jackson said Gaines didn't suffer the concussion during Wednesday's practice.

"I just think it was something that had been lingering,'' said Jackson. "Maybe he didn't say much.''

He said he doesn't know if it happened in the Chargers game.

"I just know that it wasn't from yesterday's practice,'' Jackson said. "I just think that these things, sometimes they flare up at different times in different ways with players. We had one of these a year ago that was a little different. Once they check them and put them into the protocol, in they go."

Carrie said the transition from nickel to outside won't be difficult for him.

"I look at it as harder than outside,'' he said. "If I can go from playing the harder thing to playing more of an easier, focused thing outside, then it makes it a little bit easier form that standpoint. You just have to get into a different mentality when you play outside."

Jackson acknowledged that Gaines had played well in his two starts in place of Mitchell, who broke the wrist in Oakland in week four.

"He accepted the challenge,'' said Jackson. "He was doing some good things for us. It's a tough blow. Nothing that you can do about it.''

The makeshift defensive backfield will take on the high-flying receiver trio of Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson and Chris Godwin, who have combined for 13 touchdown catches this season. Overall, the Bucs have 16 for second-most in the NFL.

"It stresses the coaches, too - the guys, coaches, everybody,'' said Jackson. "They're good. Make no doubt about it. We have one that is averaging 23 yards a reception (Jackson), another guy that is 14 yards per reception (Evans) and another guy that is [averaging] 13 or 12, whatever he is - (Godwin).

"They all are making plays. They have all scored touchdowns. Then you throw the tight ends in there, too. They have some weapons. Guys that can score the ball. It is a big challenge for us. Have to go play well."

Carrie, signed as a free agent in the offseason, acknowledged it's a tall order for the DBs.



"It's going to be a challenge,'' he said. "I feel like all of us on the back end are going to have to really bone up because they have some talented receivers with the guys that they have.''

The Browns were already without Joe Schobert, the 'quarterback' of their defense who will miss several weeks with a pulled hamstring. Even with Schobert and Gaines in the lineup, the Browns surrendered 38 points and 449 yards to the Chargers last week.