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Cleveland Browns linebacker Jamie Collins will play a lot Sunday agains the Cowboys and possibly even start.

(Dave Andersen)

BEREA, Ohio -- Linebacker Jamie Collins has only been with the Browns for two days, but Hue Jackson said he'll play a lot Sunday against the 6-1 Cowboys. Based on his Pro Bowl pedigree, he's likely to start.

"I think so,'' Jackson said of Collins playing a lot. "He's a very bright young man so he's applying himself to learning exactly what we do and how we do it. I know him and Demario (Davis) and him and Christian (Kirksey) and all those guys there are constantly talking because I'm sure they want him to be out there with him."

Collins, one of only two Pro Bowlers on the Browns defense along with Joe Haden, has already stood out amongst his young teammates. The Browns dealt a compensatory pick at the end of the third round in 2017 for Collins.

"I like him a lot,'' said Jackson. "He's a good player. We all know that. Those kind of guys when they're on the field, they kind of raise everybody else's intensity and how you practice because the guy is a Pro Bowl player.

"He's been there and done it. Our guys like being around him, like practicing with him and like being with him, and now, they have to go play with him. He's been fun to watch."

Linebacker Chris Kirksey has been impressed. Collins has already made friends on the linebacking corps.

"He's been picking up so fast,'' said Kirksey. "He's a smart guy. He's an athletic guy, so we can move him around a lot of places. And he's a good dude, so we're looking forward to seeing him play on Sunday and I know he'll do a good job.''

Collins, 27, is listed as third on the depth chart at outside linebacker behind Cam Johnson and rookie Joe Schobert. But the Patriots' leader in tackles in each of the past two seasons and its Super Bowl XLIX victory is likely to start. If he's not out there on the first play, he'll likely play a majority of the snaps -- possibly inside and out.

"He's obviously a huge steal for us,'' said Joe Thomas. "To be able to find a linebacker that can cover tight ends and running backs on third down is really key and he can also play on first and second down because he's a physical linebacker. So to be able to find an inside linebacker in today's day and age that can run and hit is pretty unique and that's why he's been named to the Pro Bowl."

Quarterback Josh McCown, who studied Collins in advance of the 33-13 loss to the Patriots Oct. 9, was thrilled with the move.

"When we turned out that tape ... my first thought was that dude, he's a heck of a player, he's one of the better players in the NFL because he's just so versatile,'' said McCown. "So it was a heck of a move for us to be able to acquire to him and looking forward to getting him here and to help our team."

Jackson appreciated Collins sensing the family feel around the Browns.

"The culture switch here is real,'' said Jackson. "That's what we have worked extremely hard from our front office on down through our coaching staff to our players. That part we've done right.

"The next thing we have to do is get over our hump the other way, and that's why he's here.''

He also believes Collins means it when he says he's not upset about going from a Super Bowl contender to a winless team, which is good considering the Browns want to sign him to a long-term deal.

"He's part of the process to helping us get it right," Jackson said. "We welcome him with open arms. He's also letting us in. It goes both ways, and we're going to see if we can make this a good marriage as we move forward."