Week 5 started out with the Buffalo Bills (2-3) losing to the Cleveland Browns (3-2) 24-37. Starting quarterback Brian Hoyer left the game early with a knee injury; he took over the starting position when second year quarterback Brandon Weeden suffered a thumb injury on his throwing hand in week 2.
Week 5 started out with the Buffalo Bills (2-3) losing to the Cleveland Browns (3-2) 24-37. Starting quarterback Brian Hoyer left the game early with a knee injury; he took over the starting position when second year quarterback Brandon Weeden suffered a thumb injury on his throwing hand in week 2.
Hoyer has been a 5 year backup QB for Michigan State, he started the NFL as undrafted rookie for the New England Patriots 2009; from there he went to the Pittsburg Steelers, Arizona Cardinals and finally landed with the Browns on a 2 year deal.
Hoyer had lead the Browns to 2 straight wins against the Minnesota Vikings he threw for 321 yards with 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions; and Divisional Rival Cincinnati Bengals.
On Thursday night, in the first quarter, Hoyer was flushed out of the pocket and gained 11 yards on the play; after being tackled he remained on the ground for several minutes, Hoyer eventually got up under his own power and later went in the locker room for tests, the next day the MRI would show a torn ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) and would rule him out for the rest of the season, an end for a new beginning! The Browns have place him on injured reserve.
Coincidentally early the third quarter Bills rookie quarterback E. J. Manuel also went down with a knee injury. The next day his MRI would reveal he only suffered a LCL (Lateral Cruciate Ligament) injury and won’t need season ending surgery. He will be out for 3-6 weeks.
Brandon Weeden entered to win the game for the Browns; he threw for 197 yards and one touchdown and undrafted rookie quarterback Jeff Tuel threw for 80 yards and one interception for the Bills.
This double quarter back injury only means that there are two positions open; the Browns have veteran backup Jason Campbell, but the Bills aren’t so lucky. They will have to start shopping around and could sign Josh Freeman who just got cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Vince Young who are the league’s top picks as suitable backups for the Bills. NFL teams generally like to have 3-4 QBs on the roster; 3 on the 53 active roster and 1 stashed on the practice squad.
Weeden will probably assume the role as the starter and battle Campbell to retain his position and probably add another quarterback in the days to comes. Hoyer, on the other hand, will undergo season ending surgery and begin rehab; recovery time including rehab will take about 8-12 months, just in time for OTAs ( Organized Team Activities) and mini-camp. Hopefully next year he will begin where he left off; however with the league being quarterback driven who knows what will happen in the offseason? That’s where the real action is, as they say there is no money like guaranteed money.
Writer: Stephan Chong
Photo: EJ Emanuel (skysports)
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