CLEVELAND -- Rookie quarterback Cody Kessler's short-term status is in doubt after he left a Cleveland Browns game with his second concussion in five games.
"I am definitely going to talk to our medical staff because this is about a young man's career and future," coach Hue Jackson said after the Browns fell to 0-11 with a 24-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. "We have to do the right thing."
Kessler was injured on the second-to-last play of the third quarter. As he ran right and threw, he was dragged to the ground by linebacker Ryan Shazier.
As Shazier pulled Kessler to the ground, Lawrence Timmons dove into Kessler and appeared to hit Kessler's shoulder. It was not clear whether Kessler was hit in the head by Simmons, or if Kessler's head hit the ground when he was tackled.
Left tackle Joe Thomas said it appeared on the replay that Timmons hit Kessler in the head with either his shoulder or forearm as he dove over Kessler. Timmons was penalized for unnecessary roughness; Thomas pointed out that in college that kind of play would lead to a player being ejected.
Thomas added that he was basing his statement on the replay, not on anything he saw on the field because he was engaged in a block when Kessler was hit.
Kessler has been knocked out of a game three times in his eight starts. He left the New England game with injured ribs, and he had a concussion against the Bengals.
He was largely ineffective against the Steelers, going 7-for-14 for 128 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. He was sacked four times.
Josh McCown took over at quarterback, and probably will start Sunday if Kessler can't play.
Jackson said Friday that Robert Griffin III has been cleared to practice, but not for full contact.