Josh McCown will start for Browns after Cody Kessler suffers 2nd concussion

Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson named quarterback Josh McCown the starter for the team’s Week 12 matchup against the New York Giants.

McCown, who relieved quarterback Cody Kessler after he suffered a concussion in the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers, threw for 118 yards and a touchdown.

The Browns might decide to shut down quarterback Kessler, who has suffered two concussions in his last five games. In a 24-9 loss against the Steelers in Week 11, Kessler took a hard shoulder-to-helmet hit by Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons in the third quarter and fell to the ground.

The collision happened after Kessler threw the ball, and Timmons was flagged with unnecessary roughness on the play.

After the defeat, Browns head coach Hue Jackson said they will handle the rookie quarterback carefully. There was a possibility that Kessler will sit out for the last five games of the season.

“We’ll see,” Jackson said after the game. “I’m definitely going to talk to our medical staff because this is about a young man’s career and future so we have to do the right thing.”

If Kessler is out for the season, the winless Browns will have to depend on quarterback Josh McCown to finish out 2016 as the team’s quarterback.

“He’s going to have to go out there and play,” Jackson said. “I will expect Josh to play well, and he will.”

Cleveland has been involved in a quarterback carousel this season. Five quarterbacks— plus wide receiver Terrelle Pryor — have taken snaps under center for the Browns this season.

Barring an injury to McCown, Cleveland should have some continuity for the last five games at quarterback.

However, if McCown struggles, quarterback Robert Griffin III could take his place and end the season at quarterback for the Browns. Griffin is dealing with a shoulder injury he suffered against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1.

Griffin has not returned to practice, but he is eligible to return when he is cleared from the doctors.

The Browns (0-11) will host the Giants on Sunday.