Browns will start rookie QB Connor Shaw
Rookie quarterback Connor Shaw will come off Cleveland’s practice squad and start the season finale on Sunday against Baltimore.
With Brian Hoyer still slowed by a sore right throwing shoulder, Shaw will be behind center when the Browns conclude another disappointing season against the Ravens, who still have a shot at the playoffs.
“I’m excited about it,” Shaw said following practice. “It was a good week of practice and I had a lot of support from coaches and teammates and I’m confident going into this game with the game plan. We’ll see what happens on Sunday.”
An undrafted free agent, Shaw is the third quarterback to start for the Browns this season and the 22nd for the franchise since 1999.
It’s the third straight season and fourth time in five seasons that Cleveland’s No. 3 quarterback has started the finale.
Shaw went 27-5 in four years with South Carolina.
Lindley back at starter; Stanton has infection
Ryan Lindley is back as the starter at quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals and Drew Stanton was treated for an infection in his right knee.
Coach Bruce Arians initially said rookie Logan Thomas would start in Sunday’s regular-season finale at San Francisco, but said he changed his mind based on Thomas’ performances in practice.
Stanton, who has missed the last two games, experienced swelling in his knee on Wednesday. Arthroscopic surgery was performed to flush out the knee and treat it with antibiotics.
Chiefs QB Alex Smith out with lacerated spleen
Alex Smith thought he had some indigestion. It turned out to be a lacerated spleen.
Now, the Kansas City Chiefs will put their already slim playoff hopes in the hands of career backup Chase Daniel, who will make his second-ever start Sunday against San Diego.
The Chiefs need to beat the Chargers and hope that Baltimore loses to Cleveland and Houston gets beat by Jacksonville to reach the postseason. San Diego needs only to defeat its longtime AFC West rival to get back to the playoffs – and now faces a second-string quarterback.
Smith is expected to miss about six weeks, the Chiefs said.