BEREA: The Browns are desperate for something or someone to jump-start their offense, and they’ve cleared a path for quarterback Robert Griffin III to return to the active roster.
In their past four games, they have scored 13, 9, 7 and 10 points.
“The tables are going to turn. It can’t get any worse,” rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman said Monday after repeatedly claiming during the past two months “it could always be worse.”
Coach Hue Jackson said Monday the Browns were “in the process of getting” Griffin cleared for contact for the first time since he suffered a fractured coracoid bone in his left shoulder Sept. 11 during the regular-season opener. He needs to pass one more medical test to receive the green light, and Jackson said it’ll be conducted this week.
Rookie quarterback Cody Kessler returned to practice Monday after being cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol. But Jackson said he’ll consult with the team’s medical staff about whether Kessler should play again soon because he suffered two concussions in a span of 29 days.
Josh McCown started in place of Kessler in Sunday’s 27-13 loss to the New York Giants, but he has committed 10 turnovers (six interceptions and four lost fumbles) in 15 quarters of action this season.
All of this raises the following question: Can Griffin save the 0-12 Browns from finishing the season 0-16?
Right now, they’re simply failing to score enough points to inspire confidence. The offense is Jackson’s baby. He designed the plays. He calls them. Yet the Browns have scored just 39 points in their past four games.
“Do we need to score more points? Yes, we do,” Jackson said. “That is the name of the game. We have to have one more point than the other team, and we have not been able to do that. We have to find a way to get the ball in the end zone better than what we have, and if somebody can do that better, then we are going to play him.
“It is still early to make a decision about if Robert can do that. He has not played football now in a while. Let’s be honest: I am sure he has to get the rust off a little bit, but hopefully, we will see where he is, and if they clear him for contact, then we will know more as we move forward.”
On Nov. 23, the Browns designated Griffin to return from injured reserve. They have until Dec. 14 to activate him or he must remain on IR for the rest of the season.
The Browns have a vacancy on their 53-man roster after waiving rookie fourth-string quarterback Joe Callahan on Monday.
Two weeks ago, head of football operations Sashi Brown said Griffin was on pace to be able to play again this season. This would be a convenient time to bring him back because the team will have its bye Sunday. The Browns won’t play again until they host the Cincinnati Bengals (3-7-1) on Dec. 11.
Jackson insisted he’s not sure which quarterback will start then and he expects to know by next week.
“I think it is too early,” he said. “Let me sort through and see who is totally healthy. Then we will make a decision and go from there.”
Pass protection is among the Browns’ biggest problems. They have surrendered a league-high 45 sacks, including 15 in the past two games. To make matters worse, starting right guard John Greco suffered a season-ending right midfoot injury Sunday.
Could the changes on the line influence Jackson’s decision on the starting quarterback?
“It could,” he replied. “The most important thing is we just want to keep our quarterbacks upright and safe and out of harm’s way, so it could. But at the same time, we are going to play whoever we think gives us the best chance to win, who is ready to play and who we think can go out there and compete and give us an opportunity to get a victory.”
Kessler is 0-8 as a starter this season, and McCown is 0-3.
Griffin lost the opener and has sat out the other 11 games.
“We’d love to see RG3 out there,” Coleman said. “Whatever’s going to give us the best chance of winning.”
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Browns blog at www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.