Browns QB Cody Kessler ruled out with chest, rib injuries
— -- CLEVELAND -- Browns quarterback Cody Kessler left Sunday's game against the New England Patriots late in the first quarter with chest and rib injuries and was ruled out after halftime.
Kessler was hurt when he landed on his right shoulder as he was smothered by Don't'a Hightower.
Kessler lost the ball as he attempted to throw as he dropped back from the Browns' 10-yard line. The ball went backward and sideways, and resulted in a Patriots safety when the ball rolled out of the side of the end zone. Kessler officially was credited with a rush for no yards and a fumble.
Kessler was slow to get up, then was taken to the locker room shortly after he returned to the bench. He had guided the Browns to a touchdown on his second drive, an 11-yard throw to Andrew Hawkins.
Kessler, a rookie third-round pick, had been the 26th different quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999.
Terrelle Pryor took the first two snaps with Kessler out, gaining one yard on a run and throwing incomplete on the second.
Charlie Whitehurst then came in the game and completed a 10-yard pass to Gary Barnidge on third down. The Browns punted four plays later.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Whitehurst's throw made the Browns the first team since the 2002 Eagles to have five different players try a pass in the team's first five games.
Robert Griffin III, who began the season as the Browns' starter, is on injured reserve with a fractured bone in his left shoulder. Josh McCown, who replaced Griffin, has been out since Week 1 with a broken left collarbone.
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