Browns center Cam Erving remains hospitalized at University Hospitals with a bruised lung, He'll likely be out at least a month.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns starting center Cam Erving was diagnosed with a bruised lung suffered during Sunday night's 25-20 loss to the Ravens and will likely be out at least a month.

He remained hospitalized overnight at University Hospitals for observation.

Depending on the nature of the contusion, Erving could be out much longer.

A month is how long it took former Browns linebacker Barkevious Mingo to return from his bruised lung in 2013. Mingo suffered the bruised lung during the second preseason game his rookie year on Aug. 15th. He missed the next three games, two preseason games and the season opener.

He was out a full month and returned for the second regular season game on Sept. 15th. He played the rest of the season.

A bruised lung can take anywhere from two weeks to two months to heal, a thoracic surgeon told cleveland.com back when Mingo suffered his.

The injury comes on the same day that quarterback Josh McCown suffered a left shoulder injury. He'll undergo an MRI on Monday, and a report on NFL Network says the Browns are bracing themselves for bad news. 

Erving struggled throughout the game with back cramps and spent time on the exercise bike during the game. He came up with an apparent leg cramp just before the two-minute warning and limped back to the huddle.

Josh McCown will undergo an MRI Monday, NFL Network reports team bracing for bad news

He remained in the game for three more plays before making his way to the sidelines. He was carted to the locker room, and then the medical staff rushed a stretcher into the locker room. Erving was immobilized on the stretcher and taken by ambulance to University Hospitals, where the bruised lung was diagnosed.

Erving is lucky that he didn't get hit in the chest during the game. A bruised lung can be very serious, even life-threatening.

The Browns announced after the Erving was experiencing cramps toward the end of the game, as well as discomfort in his chest and ribs. He was in stable condition and is undergoing further testing at University Hospitals.

When he left the game, John Greco slid over from right guard to center, and Alvin Bailey stepped in at right guard. That's likely how it will go for the foreseeable future.

"First of all, when anyone leaves here strapped to a board, it is not good,'' said McCown before he knew of the bruised lung. "My prayers and thoughts are with Cam. Hopefully, everything will be alright, but I told Greco he did a heck of a job sliding over. He did everything he could for us. The snaps were great.

"It's a hard to just slide over to center and be in the shotgun right away. Grec did awesome, and we were moving the ball down the field. Hopefully, Cam is alright and we will move on from there."

Greco, also before he knew the diagnosis, marveled at Erving's ability to stay in the game under duress.

"It seemed like he was battling cramps,'' he said. "When that happens, if something locks up on him, it's tough. Credit him for sticking in there as long as he can. I know we're going to have to kind of scrape him off the field for him to come out.

"It looked like at the end he just couldn't take it anymore. Credit to him for fighting through the second half, battling that. But that happens. Guys go down and next man up. I thought we were able to give us a chance at the end but we've just got to make the play."

In the case of Erving, battling through his injury was the worst thing for him.

Haden had two picks and Crowell broke an 85-yard touchdown run before things fell apart for the Browns on Sunday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Something happened on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium that hasn't happened since 2014 -- Joe Haden intercepted a pass. 

When Haden picked off Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco with just over six minutes left in the first quarter, it was his first interception since the Browns played in Buffalo on November 30, 2014. It was his first interception at home since November 16 of that season. 

"I'm trying to do my part," Haden said. "Trying to do my part and if (Flacco) keeps wanting to keep throwing the ball over to my side, I've got to make a play for it." 

Say what you will about Haden play-to-play -- he got beat last week for a deep pass against the Eagles and it appeared that Mike Wallace got inside on him for 7-yard touchdown catch on Sunday -- but he is one of the only players on the Browns defense who has shown a consistent nose for the football. The interception drought aside -- he missed most of 2015 due to a concussion, which certainly didn't help -- he tied Earl Little as the player with the most interceptions for the Browns since their return in 1999 with 18. 

Haden's most impressive interception of the day came in the third quarter. With the Ravens back to within a point, Haden was called for a questionable illegal contact penalty against veteran wide receiver Steve Smith. It moved the Ravens inside the Browns 30-yard line, well within the range of their kicker, Justin Tucker. 

Haden's response: He picked off Flacco's pass to Breshad Perriman on the very next play. 

Haden was asked why he thought Flacco was targeting him on those back-to-back throws. 

"I don't know. You should ask him. I don't know why," he said. "I felt good because I was locked in, in good position and was able to make the plays." 

It wasn't just Haden who made a little bit of history on Sunday. Running back Isaiah Crowell did it, too.  

Crowell broke loose for an 85-yard touchdown run to open the Browns' second drive of the game. The third-year back followed fullback Malcolm Johnson through a hole on the left side of the line and no one was going to catch up to him. 

Crowell's 85-yard run is the 2nd longest run in #Browns history

(And the longest run allowed by Baltimore. Ever.)https://t.co/HSaNnhCv5g

-- Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 18, 2016

"It was a power play and the linemen did a great job blocking," Crowell said. "The double team got a great push." 

The run was the second-longest rushing play in Browns history, behind Bobby Mitchell's 90-yard run on November 15, 1959. It was also the longest run in the NFL since Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota ran for an 87-yard touchdown in Week 13 of last season and it was the longest run ever given up by the Baltimore Ravens. 

Browns running back Isaiah Crowell breaks free for an 85-yard touchdown run in the first quarter against the Ravens.John Kuntz, cleveland.com 

"I owe it all to my linemen," Crowell said. "I think it was them that really got the touchdown. I just ran it." 

The run came on the same day that a statue of Browns legend Jim Brown was unveiled outside of FirstEnergy Stadium. It also came following a week in which Jackson sounded determined to commit to the run. That commitment started strong -- five of the Browns nine plays on their opening scoring drive were run plays -- but it faded as the day went along. They ran the ball just nine times in the second half. 

Crowell didn't help himself much, either. Outside of that 85-yard run, he rushed for 48 yards on 17 carries. 

Still, it was a day for the record books for Crowell, and, for those first ten minutes or so of the game, the offense was humming and the defense, thanks in part to Haden, was operating like a well-oiled machine. 

"We really just had momentum running the ball and throwing the ball," Crowell said. "We were capitalizing." 

----- 

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The Cleveland Indians lost to the Detroit Tigers, 9-5, Sunday afternoon in Cleveland. The Tigers improved to 2-13 in the season series.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Justin Upton and J.D. Martinez homered as the Detroit Tigers defeated the Cleveland Indians, 9-5, Sunday afternoon at Progressive Field. Tribe right-hander Trevor Bauer allowed six runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Here is a capsule look at the key aspect(s) of the game, which was televised by Fox Sports Time Ohio:

Positivity overrides negativity: I take pride in calling each day's game as I see it, instead of regularly taking the long view. This allows me to describe a bad game for what it is, instead of glossing over a bad game that is part of a good season (in the Tribe's case, a terrific season).

I will make an exception, to a large extent, for Game 149. After watching the Browns and charting banged-up quarterback Josh McCown in a loss to the Ravens, I was not in the mood to dissect the first-place Tribe's (rare) loss to the Tigers. The DVR review happened relatively quickly.

Nick Camino Scoreboard Watch: The Indians (86-63) lead second-place Detroit (79-70) by 7.0 games in the AL Central. They won two of three this series and have won 13 of 15 in the season series.

Struggling: Bauer gave up 10 hits, walked two and struck out five. He threw 101 pitches.

In his past three starts, Bauer has allowed five, six and six earned runs. He is 2-2 with a 7.40 ERA in four starts in September, having allowed 20 earned runs in 24 1/3 innings.

The Indians desperately need Bauer to fix what ails, because he is now their No. 2 starter. They can take some comfort in knowing that he has been solid, on balance, this season (11-8, 4.24 ERA, 176 1/3 IP, 166 H).

Bauer plunked Miguel Cabrera in the first inning, beaned Ian Kinsler in the third and plunked Victor Martinez in the third. It created a sideshow. The Tigers were angry/upset/disgusted with Bauer, who publicly apologized afterward, especially for what happened to Kinsler.

The Tigers don't like when opposing pitchers throw inside, and they typically bark or glare when their players get hit, regardless of circumstance. If a pitcher breathes in Cabrera's direction, he takes offense. Cabrera backpedal-jogged to third after his HBP against Bauer; Vic flopped around as if someone cut off his leg. But it is out of place to crack the Tigers too hard in this particular game because of the Kinsler beaning.

Bauer wasn't trying to hit any of the three. HBPs happen in baseball -- although not when many of these same Tigers leaned over the plate and pounded Tribe pitchers on an annual basis. Nonetheless, three by one starter, including one in the head, understandably won't sit well with any opponent.

Where his final line was concerned, Bauer wasn't helped by plate umpire Jordan Baker's amoeba zone. For what it's worth, Baker ejected Kinsler in the fifth for arguing about something.

Running his mouth: In the sixth inning, a Fox Sports Time Ohio camera showed tough-guy Miggy swearing at someone or ones in the Cleveland dugout. Miggy is the best hitter of his generation, but he also can be a clown. Why certain Indians players over the years have insisted on chatting and giggling with him on the bases is beyond me.

With a runner on first and two outs in the sixth, Cabrera took a 3-2 fastball for a ball. On his walk to first, he kept staring at Bauer. You told him, Miggy. You intimidate like no other.   

Close until late: The Indians trailed, 6-5, after eight innings. J.D. Martinez belted a three-run homer off Joe Colon.

The Tigers thoroughly enjoyed themselves in the dugout. Good for them. They are an awesome 79-70 team.

Set the sundial: Upton just finished his home-run trot that began in the fifth inning.

We take a closer look at one of the key plays of Sunday's Browns-Ravens game. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - After Corey Coleman's second touchdown of the first quarter, the Browns lined up for an extra point on Sunday against the Ravens.

But instead of a 21-0 lead, the Ravens blocked the kick and returned it for their own 2-point conversion. Browns 20, Ravens 2.

While it wasn't a big blow at the time, those two points played a role in the game going forward. The scoring scenarios were changed, and the Browns found themselves needing a touchdown on their final drive of the game instead of a field goal.

Check out the video at the top of this post for a closer look at the play, including reaction from Hue Jackson and cleveland.com writers Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe.

After beating conference rival Midview, 45-28, Avon moved up to No. 3 in Division II in the divisional rankings for Week 5.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — After defeating Southwestern Conference rival Midview on Friday, Avon football moved up to No. 3 in Division II in cleveland.com's Divisional Rankings after Week 4.

The Eagles' 45-28 win coincided with six teams in the top ten in Division II losing last week, including five of the top six.

Each week, the staff of cleveland.com will rank the top ten teams in each division as well as six additional teams to watch.

For the rest of the season, all seven divisions will be listed together in one collection.

These polls also represent how cleveland.com's staff voted in the Associated Press state football polls, which can be found in each division after the teams to watch.

Here are the cleveland.com divisional rankings headed into Week 5.

DIVISION I

1. Cincinnati Colerain (4-0, Region 4)

Last week: Ranked No. 1, beat Cincinnati Princeton, 38-7.

This week: Thursday vs. Sycamore.

Coach Bolden presented with game ball by his sons Luke and Kyle after his 100th career win last night at Princeton! pic.twitter.com/9VkRzLGs4x

— WeAreColerain.com (@WeAreColerain) September 17, 2016

2. Huber Heights Wayne (3-0-1, Region 3)

Last week: Ranked No. 2, beat Miamisburg, 45-12.

This week: Friday vs. Clayton Northmont.

3. St. Edward (3-1, Region 1)

Last week: Ranked No. 3, lost to Cincinnati Elder, 15-9.

This week: Saturday at Buchtel.

4. Stow (4-0, Region 1)

Last week: Ranked No. 4, beat Wadsworth, 38-14.

This week: Friday vs. Nordonia.

Another win for the Bulldogs !! #bulldognation #4-0 🏈🐾

— Stow Student Section (@Stow_Bulldogs) September 17, 2016

5. Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller (3-1, Region 4)

Last week: Ranked No. 5, beat Don Bosco (N.J.), 20-14.

This week: Friday at Cincinnati St. Xavier

6. Cincinnati St. Xavier (2-2, Region 4)

Last week: Ranked No. 7, beat Cathedral (Indiana), 34-29.

This week: Friday vs. Archbishop Moeller.

Interception by C. Paul! Final score: @StXFB 34 - @chs_fb 29. #GoBombers

— Cinti St. X Sports (@stxsports) September 17, 2016

7. Pickerington Central (4-0, Region 3)

Last week: Ranked No. 8, beat Groveport-Madison, 45-14.

This week: Friday at Upper Arlington.

8. Olentangy Liberty (4-0, Region 2)

Last week: Ranked No. 9, beat Hilliard Davidson, 28-3.

This week: Friday at Pickerington North.

9. Cincinnati Elder (3-1, Region 4)

Last week: Unranked, beat St. Edward, 15-9.

This week: Friday vs. University Prep.

The Pit......Elder High School......Price Hill, OH....the GREATEST High School Football experience on Earth pic.twitter.com/jd9IKKtEVq

— Walt Kelsey (@WaltKels11) September 17, 2016

10. St. Ignatius (3-1, Region 1)

Last week: Ranked No. 6, lost to Detroit Central Catholic (Mich.), 28-21.

This week: Friday at Walsh Jesuit.

Teams to watch (11-16)

11. Upper Arlington (4-0), 12. Dublin Coffman (3-1), 13. Springfield (3-1), 14. Toledo Whitmer (3-1), 15. Fairfield (3-1), 16. Hilliard Bradley (4-0).

DIVISION II

1. Cincinnati La Salle (2-2, Region 8)

Last week: Ranked No. 1, lost to Memphis Christian Brothers (Tenn.), 31-18.

This week: Friday at Winton Woods.

2. Worthington Kilbourne (4-0, Region 7)

Last week: Ranked No. 2, beat Worthington Thomas Worthington, 43-6.

This week: Friday vs. Columbus Bishop Hartley.

3. Avon (4-0, Region 6)

Last week: Ranked No. 7, beat Midview, 45-28.

This week: Friday vs. Westlake.

4. Uniontown Lake (4-0, Region 7)

Last week: Ranked No. 8, beat Mount Vernon, 20-3.

This week: Friday at Massillon Jackson.

5. Hudson (3-1, Region 5)

Last week: Ranked No. 9, beat Nordonia, 34-7.

This week: Friday vs. North Royalton.

Dawson Wervey with a 46 yard TD run for Hudson. Explorers lead Nordonia 28-7 with 8:17 left. #NEOVarsity pic.twitter.com/XyAUpVrA3Q

— Ryan (@Isley23) September 17, 2016

6. Holland Springfield (4-0, Region 6)

Last week: Ranked No. 13, beat Perrysburg, 48-17.

This week: Friday at Sylvania Southview.

7. Chardon (4-0, Region 5)

Last week: Ranked No. 11, beat Eastlake North, 49-7.

This week: Friday vs. Madison.

North 7
Chardon 49
Final pic.twitter.com/NQ2e1zU7xx

— CHS Athletics™ (@toppernation) September 17, 2016

8. Copley (3-1, Region 5)

Last week: Ranked No. 12, beat Barberton, 27-26.

This week: Friday vs. Revere.

9. Troy (4-0, Region 8)

Last week: Unranked, beat Fairborn, 42-14.

This week: Friday at Miamisburg.

10. Warren G. Harding (4-0, Region 5)

Last week: Ranked No. 15, beat Austintown-Fitch, 35-0.

This week: Friday vs. Youngstown Ursuline.

Teams to watch (11-16)

11. Massillon Perry (2-2), 12. Midview (3-1), 13. Bedford (4-0), 14. Miamisburg (3-1), 15. Cincinnati Turpin (4-0), 16. Cincinnati Princeton (3-1).

DIVISION III

1. Archbishop Hoban (3-1, Region 9)

Last week: Ranked No. 1, beat Royal Imperial Collegiate, 63-14.

This week: Friday at St. Vincent-St. Mary.

2. Toledo Central Catholic (4-0, Region 10)

Last week: Ranked No. 2, beat Clay, 50-17.

This week: Friday at Toledo Whitmer.

The Irish have now won 22 consecutive @TracSports contests.#GoIrish

— Central Catholic FB (@ToledoCCHS_FB) September 17, 2016

3. Trotwood-Madison (3-1, Region 12)

Last week: Ranked No. 4, beat Tippecanoe, 43-6.

This week: Friday vs. Greenville.

4. Columbus St. Francis DeSales (4-0, Region 11)

Last week: Ranked No. 4, beat Bishop Hartley, 31-24.

This week: Friday vs. Covington Catholic (KY).

#OnToTheNextOne #TheChase pic.twitter.com/8Fe3VLRZdP

— DeSales Football (@FootballSfd) September 17, 2016

5. New Philadelphia (3-1, Region 9)

Last week: Ranked No. 7, beat Tallmadge, 31-10.

This week: Friday at Northwest.

6. Hamilton Township (2-2, Region 11)

Last week: Ranked No. 8, beat Amanda-Clearcreek, 35-28.

This week: Friday vs. Liberty Union.

@HTHS_Football it's all about finding a way to WIN. #HTHSrWAY #Unleash pic.twitter.com/Z8xbKrNf0n

— Dr. Miller (@DrJNMiller) September 17, 2016

7. Columbus Bexley (4-0, Region 11)

Last week: Ranked No. 10, beat Whitehall-Yearling, 21-7. 

This week: Friday at West Jefferson.

8. St. Vincent-St. Mary (2-2, Region 9)

Last week: Ranked No. 5, fell to Cardinal Mooney, 31-16.

This week: Friday at Archbishop Hoban.

9. Benedictine (1-3, Region 10)

Last week: Ranked No. 6, fell to Cathedral Prep (PA), 42-35.

This week: Friday at Bishop Watterson.

10. Poland Seminary (2-2, Region 9)

Last week: Ranked No. 9, loss to Howland, 35-34.

This week: Friday at Edgewood.

Teams to watch (teams 11-16)

11. Clyde (3-1), 12.  University School (3-1) 13. Revere (3-1), 14. Buckeye (3-1), 15. Jackson (3-1), 16. Columbus Bishop Watterson (1-3).

DIVISION IV

1. Steubenville (4-0, Region 15)

Last week: Ranked No. 2, beat Boardman, 28-0.

This week: Friday vs. Dover.

2. Columbus Bishop Hartley (2-2, Region 14)

Last week: Ranked No. 1, lost to Columbus St. Francis DeSales, 31-24.

This week: Friday at Worthington Kilbourne.

3. Kettering Alter (4-0, Region 16)

Last week: Ranked No. 6, beat Dayton Carroll, 49-0.

This week: Friday vs. Middletown Bishop Fenwick.

4. Woodridge (4-0, Region 13)

Last week: Ranked No. 4, beat Ravenna, 44-8.

This week: Friday at Streetsboro.

5. Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (3-1, Region 13)

Last week: Ranked No. 7, beat St. Vincent-St. Mary, 31-16.

This week: Saturday at Lake Catholic.

6. Plain City Jonathan Alder (4-0, Region 14)

Last week: Ranked No. 9, defeated Marion Pleasant, 33-16.

This week: Friday at Galion.

7. Crestwood (4-0, Region 13)

Last week: Ranked No. 8, beat Canal Fulton Northwest, 48-14.

This week: Friday at St. Thomas Aquinas.

Thut is over 1,000 yds on the year so far @Tom_Nader @3HSsports @FOX8FNTD pic.twitter.com/PSbP7zH3lR

— Crestwood Red Devils (@reddevilsofcls) September 17, 2016

8. Youngstown Ursuline (2-2, Region 13)

Last week: Ranked No. 3, lost to Massillon, 30-0.

This week: Friday at Warren G. Harding.

9. Johnstown-Monroe (4-0, Region 15)

Last week: Ranked No. 10, beat Pataskala Watkins Memorial, 54-21.

This week: Friday vs. Granville.

10. Cincinnati Wyoming (4-0, Region 16)

Last week: Ranked No. 14, beat Cincinnati Indian Hill, 34-27 (2OT).

This week: Friday at Cleves Taylor.

Way to battle tonight COWBOYS! Unbelievable fight and finish! #OnWyoming pic.twitter.com/vsqBAH4LtA

— Aaron Hancock (@CoachHancock) September 17, 2016

Teams to watch (11-16)

11. Ottawa-Glandorf (4-0), 12. Cincinnati Indian Hill (3-1), 13. Bellevue (3-1), 14. Dayton Dunbar (3-1), 15. Perry (4-0), 16. Clarksville Clinton-Massie (3-1).

DIVISION V

1. Coldwater (4-0, Region 20)

Last week: Ranked No. 1, beat Fort Recovery, 30-12.

This week: Friday at St. Henry.

2. Wheelersburg (4-0, Region 19)

Last week: Ranked No. 2, beat North College Hill, 44-19.

This week: Friday vs. Jackson.

3. Milan Edison (4-0, Region 18)

Last week: Ranked No. 3, beat Oak Harbor, 49-7.

This week: Friday at Vermilion.

4. Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (4-0, Region 20)

Last week: Ranked No. 4, beat Taft, 33-28.

This week: Friday vs. Goshen.

5. Sugar Creek Garaway (4-0, Region 19)

Last week: Ranked No. 7, beat East Canton, 41-7.

This week: Friday at Sandy Valley.

6. Canton Central Catholic (2-2, Region 17)

Last week: Ranked No. 5, loss to St. Thomas Aquinas, 12-10.

This week: Friday at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin.

7. Columbiana Crestview (2-2, Region 17)

Last week: Ranked No. 6, fell to Warren John F. Kennedy, 34-0.

This week: Friday at Garrettsville Garfield.

8. Norwayne (3-1, Region 18)

Last week: Ranked No. 12, beat Chippewa, 20-16.

This week: Friday at Waynedale.

9. Doylestown Chippewa (3-1, Region 18)

Last week: Ranked No. 8, loss to Norwayne, 20-16.

This week: Friday at Waynedale.

10. Versailles (2-2, Region 20)

Last week: Ranked No. 10, loss to Delphos St. John's, 19-18.

This week: Friday at Marion Local.

Teams to watch (teams 11-16)

11. Orrville (2-2), 12. Genoa (3-1), 13. Anna (3-1), 14. Coshocton (4-0), 15. West Lafayette Ridgewood (4-0), 16. Elyria Catholic (3-1).

DIVISION VI

1. Maria Stein Marion Local (3-1, Region 24)

Last week: Ranked No. 1, beat Minster, 44-6.

This week: Friday vs. Versailles.

2. Mechanicsburg (4-0, Region 24)

Last week: Ranked No. 2, beat Cedarville, 51-6.

This week: Friday at Triad.

Mechanicsburg's Kaleb Romero has broken school passing yards & total touchdowns record tonight in the 1st half against Cedarville. Congrats!

— OHC Football (@ohcfootball) September 17, 2016

3. Kirtland (4-0, Region 21)

Last week: Ranked No. 3, beat Richmond Heights, 35-14.

This week: Friday vs. Berkshire

4. Cuyahoga Heights (4-0, Region 21)

Last week: Ranked No. 4, beat Hawken, 33-7.

This week: Friday vs. Cardinal.

5. Bucyrus Wynford (4-0, Region 22)

Last week: Ranked No. 5, beat North Robinson Colonel Crawford, 28-21.

This week: Friday at Carey.

6. Delphos Jefferson (3-1, Region 24)

Last week: Ranked No. 7, beat Allen East, 32-22.

This week: Friday vs. Paulding.

7. Beverly Fort Frye (4-0, Region 23)

Last week: Ranked No. 8, beat Johnstown Northridge, 37-20.

This week: Friday vs. Monroe Central.

8. Hamler Patrick Henry (4-0), Region 22)

Last week: Ranked No. 12, beat Liberty Center, 22-14.

This week: Friday at Delta.

9. Defiance Ayersville (4-0, Region 22)

Last week: Ranked No. 9, beat Defiance Tinora, 28-0.

This week: Friday vs. Antwerp.

10. Liberty Center (3-1, Region 22)

Last week: Ranked No. 6, lost to Hamler Patrick Henry, 22-14.

This week: Friday vs. Evergreen.

Teams to watch (11-16)

11. Gibsonburg (4-0), 12. North Robinson Colonel Crawford (3-1), 13. Liberty Center (3-1), 14. Lisbon David Anderson (4-0), 15. Newark Catholic (3-1), 16. Jeromesville Hillsdale (4-0).

DIVISION VII

1. Fort Recovery (3-1, Region 28)

Last week: Ranked No. 1, lost to Coldwater, 30-12.

This week: Friday vs. Minster.

2. Mogadore (4-0, Region 25)

Last week: Ranked No. 2, beat Granville, 21-12.

This week: Friday at Loudonville.

It's over in Mogadore, the Wildcats defeat Granville 21-12 to move to 4-0. pic.twitter.com/3zt3YFw51P

— MogadoreFootball.com (@MogadoreFootbal) September 17, 2016

3. Warren JFK (4-0, Region 25)

Last week: Ranked No. 3, beat Columbiana Crestview, 34-0.

This week: Friday vs. Steubenville Catholic Central.

4. Covington (4-0, Region 28)

Last week: Ranked No. 4, beat Bethel, 48-7.

This week: Friday at Troy Christian.

5. McComb (3-1, Region 26)

Last week: Ranked No. 5, beat Arcadia, 75-0.

This week: Friday at Arlington.

6. Norwalk St. Paul (4-0, Region 25)

Last week: Ranked No. 6, beat Collins Western Reserve, 56-21.

This week: Saturday vs. New London.

7. DeGraff Riverside (3-1, Region 28)

Last week: Ranked No. 7, beat Fort Loramie, 19-14.

This week: Friday vs. Ridgemont.

8. Delphos St. John's (3-1, Region 26)

Last week: Ranked No. 10, beat Versailles, 19-18.

This week: Saturday vs. Anna.

Congratulations to the Varsity Football Team on their win over Versailles! Nice job boys! #ChirpChirp #GoBlueJays

— DSJ Student Section (@DSJStudents) September 17, 2016

9. Convoy Crestview (4-0, Region 26)

Last week: Ranked No. 12, beat Columbus Grove, 28-25.

This week: Friday at Spencerville.

10. Monroeville (4-0, Region 25)

Last week: Ranked No. 13, beat Plymouth, 35-21.

This week: Friday at Ashland Mapleton.

Teams to watch (11-16)

11. Arlington (3-1), 12. Newbury (3-1), 13. Toronto (4-0), 14. Lucas (3-1), 15. Miami Valley Christian Academy (3-1), 16. Troy Christian (4-0).

The Cleveland Browns drafted Corey Coleman to score touchdowns, and he did just that in Sunday's home-opener loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles in my Cleveland Browns notebook after the 25-20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium:

1. When the Browns drafted Corey Coleman, coach Hue Jackson said one word -- "touchdowns." He talked about how the Baylor receiver scores touchdowns. Now, Browns fans can see what Jackson was talking about. Coleman will now demand attention from opposing defenses after catching touchdown passes of 31 and 11 yards.

2. The 31-yarder came when Coleman bolted past the defense, catching a pass in the back of the end zone from Josh McCown. He did an excellent job of keeping both feet just inbounds. The 11-yarder was even more impressive. McCown threw him a short pass, then Coleman faked out a defender and leaped across the goal line.

3. Coleman made plays. The 5-foot-11 receiver played taller because of his 40-inch vertical leap. He also caught a 47-yard pass, and had five receptions on the day. This has to be a relief for the Browns. Coleman had a very shaky training camp, battling a hamstring injury and dropping passes. He had a drop and one catch last week in Philadelphia. On this sunny afternoon, Coleman was relaxed and the game came naturally for him.

4. I thought Coleman was flagged unfairly for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the fourth quarter. But I also like how Hue Jackson talked about keeping composure, how the officials "are always going to see the second penalty ... people are going to say things to you ... people are going to push you ... but you can't retaliate."

5. Lots of things happened in the game that led to the loss. The Browns had an extra-point blocked, and that led to two points for Baltimore. Patrick Murray missed a 52-yard field goal. That came after Coleman's unsportsmanlike penalty, pushing the ball back 15 yards.

6. Then there was Terrelle Pryor's taunting penalty with 27 seconds left. I just find it hard to believe the officials made such a big call on such a little infraction (if there was any at all) with 27 seconds left in a close game. But they flagged Pryor. Earlier in the game, Josh McCown slid. Two Baltimore players jumped on him. No flag. I thought they wanted to protect the quarterbacks.

7. McCown is tough and the players love him. And he knows hanging on to the ball for an extra second sometimes enables a receiver to get open. But he has to throw the ball away quicker, just to protect himself. The Browns don't need to go into the third game of the season with Cody Kessler starting at quarterback.

8. You can see what the experienced McCown meant to the Browns offense. They were organized. He completed passes to six different receivers. The players looked confident because they knew McCown had a full grasp of the offense.

9. Danny Shelton had eight tackles and was a major factor for the second game in a row. In the first two games, the Browns defense has been good against the run -- allowing a total of 213 yards, a 3.6 average. Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said: "Danny Shelton was a big factor as far as keeping us from running the ball between the tackles."

10. John Hughes went from being a starter in the opener to not dressing for this game. Obviously, the coaches weren't thrilled with his performance in Philadelphia. The Browns started Jamie Meder (replacing Hughes), Xavier Cooper and Shelton on the front line.

11. Rookie Carl Nassib left the game early in the third quarter with a hand injury. He did not play as well as he did in the opener, but Nassib has looked like a top prospect early the season.

12. Rookie Derrick Kindred started at safety in place of Ibraheim Campbell in the second half. The fourth-rounder from TCU has quickly become a favorite of the coaches.

13. Ray Horton's defense was a major improvement from the opener. The Browns offense sputtered in the second half. They had only seven first downs, 18 yards rushing and zero points. The Browns defense was on the field for a long, long time.

14. You may consider it a minor point, but I was surprised the Browns tried to pass late in the second quarter. They had the ball on their own 20-yard line with  70 seconds left in the half. They had a 20-9 lead. I was sitting next to WTAM's Mike Snyder and said, "Just run the ball, get off the field with a 20-9 lead."

15. The Browns threw two passes. The second was intercepted. Baltimore turned that into a field goal, and it was 20-12 at the half. Perhaps Hue Jackson thought the experienced McCown would stay away from a turnover, but it backfired.

16. It was great to see Joe Haden and DeMario Davis emerging as leaders on the defense. Along with Tramon Williams, those are the only real veterans. Haden was sensational with two interceptions, reminding fans what he can do when fully healthy.

17. Harbaugh on the Browns: "This is a good, young football team ... well-coached. This is a team that is going to be a force to be reckoned with. They're playing a bunch of rookies and they're playing well ... they're going to win a lot of games this year with Hue Jackson."

18. Not sure about "win a lot of games this year," but Harbaugh's respect for Jackson (his former assistant) is sincere. So is his respect for the Browns. His point about playing the young guys also has validity.

19. Joe Flacco is now 14-2 vs. the Browns. When the game is close and he has the ball, he knows how to make the plays that matter most. The Ravens quarterback did it once again.

20. The Browns head to Miami next week. The Dolphins are 0-2. This game at least gives Browns fans a reason to tune in next Sunday.

"It's going to be a little bit more of a challenge here," Clevinger said. "More pressure. More is put on your plate."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians tried everything in their power to keep Mike Clevinger in the bullpen for the club's postseason push.

With injuries to both Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, the team is out of options. They'll not only need to rely upon Clevinger in the starting rotation for the final two weeks of September, but possibly in October, as well.

"It's going to be a little bit more of a challenge here," Clevinger said. "More pressure. More is put on your plate."

Can he handle it?

Clevinger first joined Triple-A Columbus last September and made two starts for the Clippers. In the first outing, he held the opposition hitless during his 7 2/3 innings. He didn't allow a run in either outing.

Granted, the stakes are much higher at the major-league level. Clevinger owns a 4.76 ERA in 14 appearances with the Tribe this season. He hasn't logged more than 5 2/3 innings in any game. In 45 1/3 innings, he has walked 25 and struck out 43.

"It's going to be approaching an atmosphere that I've never seen or been in," he said. "The more comfortable I can get now, the better I'll be prepared to handle those situations."

Clevinger will start Thursday's series finale against the Royals. He estimated he'll be able to throw about 100 pitches, after he tallied 85 in his last outing. Of course, that carried him through only four frames.

In fact, Clevinger hasn't tossed more than four innings in an appearance since Aug. 13. He said the trip to the bullpen felt like "a little break for my arm. It feels fresh again."

"There's a reason that he's here and that he's in the rotation," said Tribe starter Corey Kluber. "Everybody in here is confident in him when he takes the ball that he's going to give us a chance to win and I think that's all you can ask for out of a starting pitcher. Just because he doesn't have the experience or the track record that maybe Carlos has, we still feel confident when he takes the mound."

Clevinger out of the 'twilight zone'

Said first baseman Mike Napoli: "I don't think there's one team that goes through a whole year without a guy going down or being on the DL. It's the guys that are able to come up and contribute and fill in spots and stay within themselves -- it's what we need."

Clevinger said he has watched Kluber and Josh Tomlin closely, and has attempted to mimic the poise they exhibit on the mound.

"It's second-to-none," Clevinger said. "That's something I've tried to put in my game because I get a little too emotional at times."

Clevinger is a rookie, after all. He made his major-league debut just four months ago. Now, he has been thrust into the spotlight.

"This has been a wild ride," Clevinger said. "It's been eye-opening."

Behind the scenes of Clevinger's MLB debut

 

The Indians came up short in their bid to deliver Detroit a decisive jab in the division showdown. The Tigers claimed Sunday's series finale by a 9-5 final margin, though the Tribe took two of three over the weekend. Cleveland holds a seven-game advantage in the American League Central. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As the baseball initiated its descent, the screams reached a crescendo. Justin Upton stood at the wall, peered up toward the sky and stretched his left arm into the air.

The ball settled into his glove, the energy from the crowd quickly dissipated and reality set in. Maybe the Indians can't simply snap their fingers and deliver another magical finish. Had Mike Napoli's fly ball to left in the eighth inning traveled a few feet further, that would be a different story.

Instead, the Indians came up short in their bid to deliver Detroit a decisive jab in the division showdown. The Tigers claimed Sunday's series finale by a 9-5 final margin, though the Tribe took two of three over the weekend. Cleveland holds a seven-game advantage in the American League Central.

Questions about the starting rotation will follow the club for the next several weeks and beyond, should it qualify for the postseason. Trevor Bauer began the season in the bullpen; now, he's the No. 2 starter.

He submitted a shaky effort on Sunday, with pitches zooming through the strike zone, by his catcher and into the Tigers. His wayward tosses had Ian Kinsler and Miguel Cabrera barking at the Tribe dugout. Kinsler was eventually tossed by home-plate umpire Jordan Baker after the fifth inning.

Bauer struck three Detroit hitters with pitchers. He also allowed 10 hits, as he surrendered six runs in 5 2/3 innings. The Tigers tagged him for three runs to erase a 2-0 deficit in the third. He plunked Kinsler in the helmet to start the frame. Bauer dropped to his knees, removed his hat and placed his hands on his face. As Kinsler walked to first, Bauer patted his chest and apologized.

With the bases loaded and no outs, Bauer struck Victor Martinez in the right knee. As Kinsler strolled to the plate -- and with Martinez writhing in the dirt in pain -- he directed some words toward Bauer. Later in the inning, Erick Aybar brought a pair of runs home with a two-out single to right.

Baker warned both sides after Tigers starter Daniel Norris commenced the bottom of the frame with a pitch behind Rajai Davis.

Upton socked a two-run shot to center in the fifth. Bauer put his head down the instant Upton made contact. The baseball traveled 451 feet, according to the league's Statcast data. Upton took four, deliberate steps to admire his work before he engaged in his home-run trot.

The Indians clawed back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, as Chris Gimenez scored on an Ian Kinsler error and Francisco Lindor plated Davis with a sacrifice fly.

The teams traded runs in the sixth. James McCann scored on Bauer's wild pitch -- with two outs and an 0-2 count on Cameron Maybin. Carlos Santana tacked on a solo shot in the sixth. J.D. Martinez's three-run homer to center in the ninth off of Joe Colon provided the Tigers with some insurance.

Napoli nearly tied the game in the eighth, but his fly ball off of Shane Greene fell a few feet short. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus summoned closer Francisco Rodriguez from the bullpen before Greene could offer another pitch.

What it means

The Indians "dropped" to 13-2 against the Tigers this season. Cleveland has claimed all five series against Detroit. The Indians' magic number remains seven, with 13 games to play.

Plunk you very much

Bauer matched a franchise record with three hit batters. Justin Masterson was the last Tribe hurler to plunk three batters in a game, which he did on May 13, 2012, in Boston.

Golden gloves

Abraham Almonte and Brandon Guyer made consecutive nifty catches to close out the top of the eighth. Almonte slid to snag a Jose Iglesias liner to right. Guyer then made a lunging grab of Andrew Romine's fly to left.

Milestone for Miggy

Cabrera notched the 2,500th base hit of his career with a third-inning single to right field. He became the 100th player in major-league history to achieve the feat.

First things first

Cavaliers guard (and NBA champion) Jordan McRae tossed out the ceremonial first pitch.

They came, they saw

An announced crowd of 21,382 watched at the ballpark.

What's next

Following Monday's off-day, the Indians will open a three-game set against the Royals at Progressive Field. Josh Tomlin, Corey Kluber and Mike Clevinger are expected to take the hill during the series. Kansas City will counter with right-handers Edinson Volquez and Ian Kennedy in the first two games and southpaw Jason Vargas in the finale.

The Cleveland Browns will be starting rookie Cody Kessler in their third game of the season. Even for the Browns, starting three quarterbacks in the first three games is extreme. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Three games, three starting quarterbacks?

Let the Cleveland Browns analytics people determine the odds on that happening.

Browns fans would probably just say, "That figures."

It's the math in the world of the orange helmets.

I'm trying not to fall into the "let's eat dirt and die" mentality that so often swirls around the Browns.

But come on...

The Browns have played two games and they are heading for their third starting quarterback?

When Robert Griffin III was injured near the end of the opener, I felt bad for the quarterback and coach Hue Jackson. Both had put a lot of effort into trying to revive Griffin's career. He might be back near the end of the season from his shoulder injury.

But I also felt good because Josh McCown was the next quarterback up.

This isn't about a debate of McCown vs. Griffin.

It is about the need for the young Browns team to have an experienced quarterback in control.

In the 25-20 loss to Baltimore, the Browns offense showed life partly because McCown had the right players in the right places.

It's obvious the players have confidence in him. And it was just as obvious that McCown knew the Browns had a real weapon in Corey Coleman. McCown found ways to deliver the ball to the rookie receiver, who caught two touchdown passes.

The running game had some life because McCown reads defenses well.

This is not a knock on Griffin. He was new to the Browns and the Browns players. But he's not had anything close to the experience of McCown. That matters.

A HUGE LOSS

Jackson said McCown is week-to-week in terms of determining when his strained left shoulder will be healed enough to play.

Now, it's time for Kessler.

Or as Jackson said, "Trust me, here we come."

It was Jackson who said "Trust me" about the drafting of Kessler in the third round.

And Jackson could have added, "Ready or not, here we come."

It's doubtful Kessler is ready, and that's another problem. Throwing a rookie quarterback into an NFL game with a bad team before he's had much time to learn the pro game.

Just what will that produce?

And the backup? It's Kevin Hogan, who was a fifth-round pick and cut by Kansas City. The Browns claimed him on waivers.

I know, the Browns are playing a zillion rookies, so what's another one?

The problem is Kessler looked overwhelmed in the preseason. He's a third-round pick, and most quarterbacks picked in the third round are far more developmental projects than expected to start as rookies.

Of course, this is Cleveland.

The last two quarterbacks they picked in the third round (Colt McCoy, 2010 and Charlie Frye, 2005) ended up starting games as rookies.

But not the third game of their rookie seasons!

That's a lot to ask, but that's what the Browns will be doing with Kessler.

PURPOSE OF SEASON

A key job for Jackson and his coaching staff is to develop game plans to fit their talent -- and to put the young talent in spots where the Browns can find out if the kids can play.

A veteran quarterback helps that happen.

At times, McCown would be frustrated by some of the mistakes made by the young players. But he also knew the deal. He was there to help them grow.

When you have a veteran quarterback, it makes it easier for the front office to evaluate the young players on offense.

That was happening with McCown. But now, it's Kessler.

The idea of "play all the kids" sounds great until you see all the kids play -- and they look like kids facing men.

It's why the front office didn't trade Joe Thomas. The veteran left tackle loves Cleveland, and he brings leadership and an elite level of play to the offensive line.

LOOK AT THE ROSTER

But think about the Browns key skill-position players, minus Griffin and McCown.

There are rookies in Coleman, Kessler and Terrelle Pryor (in terms of Pryor as a receiver).

Isaiah Crowell is in his third season, Duke Johnson is in his second year. The only veteran receivers/tight ends are Gary Barnidge and Andrew Hawkins.

Quarterbacks get hurt. It's the reality of the NFL.

But it tends to border on the ridiculous when it comes to the Browns. They have started at least three different quarterbacks in every season since 2012.

But three in three games? Even by Browns standards, that's shocking.

And it makes it so much tougher for Jackson and his coaching staff -- well beyond trying to win games.

Nassib is out Sunday and week-to-week after that. Here are some players who could take advantage of the opportunity.

BEREA, Ohio - There's bad news and then good news with Browns rookie defensive lineman Carl Nassib. 

The bad news: He's going to need surgery on his broken hand. The good news: He could potentially play with a cast. 

Until then, though, Nassib will definitely be out this week against Miami and will be week-to-week beyond that. 

"He was in on a football play and I think he was trying to make a move and all of the sudden, he ended up hitting somebody and 'bam," head coach Hue Jackson said on Monday. "He probably didn't even know it happened when it happened. You don't normally know about those things until you come off to the side and are kind of guessing when it happened." 

So, with Nassib out, who will the Browns turn to on Sunday to fill the void? 

"There is going to be somebody that has to step up," Jackson said. "It is the next man up mentality for our football team. We are not going to all of the sudden change it. I think we all know we are not going to go out and find a whole bunch of new players and put them on our team, whether it is offensively or defensively. I think our answers are in our building. These are the guys that have been with us the whole time. That rotation over there probably changes a little bit - some guys that have been playing a little less will be playing a little more - but I don't think it is going to be anybody [outside of this building]." 

Let's start with Tyrone Holmes. The rookie out of Montana was picked in the sixth round by the Jaguars and was let go in their cut-down to 53. He was second in school history at Montana with 34.5 sacks and registered 18 sacks his senior season. He was active for the first time on Sunday against Baltimore and played ten snaps, recording one tackle. Pro Football Focus gave him the third-highest grade among Browns defenders. 

Second-year defensive end Xavier Cooper will get an opportunity to move back up the depth chart. Cooper has consistently played around 60 percent of the team's defensive snaps in the first two games. Cooper started against Baltimore and has appeared in 16 games with the Browns, registering 1.5 sacks. 

Stephen Paea saw his snaps increase on Sunday against Baltimore from 16 to 25, an increase from 21 percent of the defensive snaps in Week 1 to 33 percent in Week 2. The former second-round pick of the Chicago Bears struggled to adapt in Washington last season and was waived on August 30. The Browns signed him three days later. He had one tackle on Sunday. He can play end or tackle. 

Local product Jamie Meder is another lineman in this group that can play inside or out. He started the opener in Philadelphia and has played 57 percent and 49 percent of the team's defensive snaps, respectively.  

Jamie Meder has boxed, wrestled and studied his way to a shot with the Browns

Other options include John Hughes, who was a healthy scratch on Sunday against Baltimore. They also have Gabe Wright, who was promoted from the practice squad last week and was inactive on Sunday. Wright is in his second season out of Auburn and was originally drafted by the Lions in the fourth round of the 2015 draft. He appeared in seven games last season and recorded six tackles. 

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Upper Deck's one-of-a-kind LeBron James rookie card could be sold for as much as $200K in the next two weeks.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The world's rarest and most valuable LeBron James basketball trading card according to some collectors is currently up for auction. And with fewer than two weeks remaining, bids are expected to reach $200,000.

Sports memorabilia expert Ken Goldin says a collector pulled the one-of-a-kind card out of a pack in 2003 and held on to it for more than 10 years.

"It's sorta like finding Willy Wonka's golden ticket," Goldin said. "It really is the Holy Grail of modern trading cards."

Here is a link to the auction site featuring the LeBron rookie card. 

The backside of the LeBron James 2003 logoman Upper Deck rookie card.Image via GoldinAuctions.com 

The card includes a color image of James in mid-shot above an autograph penned by James in blue ink. To the left of the image is a patch of fabric with the NBA logo taken from a LeBron-worn jersey.

Goldin, who runs Goldin Auctions, the service hosting the item, says the card is "the most valuable LeBron James collector's item out there." Even more valuable than a game-worn, autographed jersey.

"If you had the jersey he wore in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, this card is worth more," he said.

With 12 days remaining in the online auction, bids have reached $65,000. But Goldin expects the card to fetch as much as $200,000 by the time the bidding closes on Oct. 1, which is not typical for cards produced after 2000.

"It's highly unusual to see a modern card like this to sell so high," Goldin said. "A lot of these type of cards end up going to high-end buyers who want to have the best collections."

Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe talk about the news of the day from Berea. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns will have a third starting quarterback this season on Sunday, and it is expected to be rookie quarterback Cody Kessler. The third-round pick out of USC -- a pick that surprised many observers -- is poised to join a long and not-so-illustrious list.

Mary Kay Cabot and I talked about the happenings in Berea today. We talked about Kessler starting, of course, but we also talked about how the Browns would replace rookie Carl Nassib, who will miss time with a broken hand that requires surgery.

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Greco will move from right guard to center and Bailey will take over in Greco's position. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio - The Browns' new-look offensive line will have a new look on Sunday. 

The latest shakeup comes in the wake of starting center Cameron Erving suffering a pulmonary contusion during Sunday's loss to the Ravens. Erving spent Sunday night in the hospital and was released on Monday morning. That means that right guard John Greco, who played some at center in 2014 after then-starter Alex Mack broke his leg, will slide over one spot. 

"Greco will go over and play at center, and (Alvin) Bailey will go play guard," head coach Hue Jackson said on Monday. "I feel good about that combination. Greco has done it in games before so I think we will manage that part pretty well." 

If you're concerned that maybe Greco isn't ready for this, he said back in August that playing center has always been in the back of his mind. 

"It's always in the back of my mind because that's been our plan the last few years and until I get told otherwise, that's still my plan," Greco said during the team's joint practices in Tampa. "If it happens, I'll be ready." 

Monday, it happened. 

"Here it is," Greco said, "and I'm ready mentally. This week in practice, I'll get preparation with (quarterback) Cody (Kessler), get the snap timing and everything down and we'll get calls straight. We'll have meetings all week and everything. We'll be ready to go." 

Greco, who says he regularly practices snaps with the quarterbacks, said the biggest adjustment for him will be who he's communicating with throughout the game. 

"Playing next to the center my whole career and playing center, I'm dialed in mentally and I know what we have to do assignment-wise with the communication," Greco said. "It's just about getting everybody lined up. Instead of communicating with the center and right tackle, I'm communicating with both guard and both tackles. I'll be ready to do that." 

As for the man who will take Greco's spot at guard, Bailey came over from Seattle during the offseason. He originally was competing for the starting job at right tackle, a job that eventually went to Austin Pasztor. 

"I feel like, for me personally, I felt like this was the best opportunity for me, so that's why I made the decision to come here and be here," Bailey said at the beginning of training camp, "and I was excited that Hue Jackson was the new coach and things like that." 

"Alvin's an awesome player," Greco said. "I played next to him in the spring and he and I had great chemistry. I have no doubt that he's going to come in and do an unbelievable job." 

Perhaps the biggest benefit for Greco and Bailey is that they aren't being thrown into these positions and this pairing in a game. Bailey was asked to play just four snaps on Sunday against Baltimore after Erving left the game. 

"When you're the backup at a position, there's times -- like Alvin didn't get a lot of reps last week at guard and he stepped in there and was able to play his butt off," Greco said. "...That's the thing, when you're the backup or you're the next guy in at a different position, you have to be ready, because they don't care. You can't say, 'I didn't get any reps there.' No one cares. It's just you've got to get the job done, and everyone has that in the back of their minds." 

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Veteran quarterback Charlie Whitehurst has signed a one-year deal with the Browns, his agent told cleveland.com.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Veteran quarterback Charlie Whitehurst was once on the wrong end of the biggest comeback in Browns history. Now, he's a member of the Cleveland Browns.

Whitehurst, a 10-year pro, signed a one-year deal with the Browns on Monday night, his agent, Pat Dye, told cleveland.com.

The Browns will announce the signing on Tuesday morning.

Hue Jackson said Monday that Cody Kessler will start Sunday against the Dolphins, but he left himself a little wiggle room on that, stressing that the Browns were looking around for a veteran and hoped to sign one fast.

They didn't waste any time.

Whitehurst, 34, worked out for the Browns at their facility in Berea on Monday and signed his deal late Monday night.

He's expected to come in as the backup to Kessler, at least for this week, but the Browns will see how it goes.

A 10-year pro, he was signed in response to Josh McCown suffering a left shoulder/clavicle injury  during Sunday's 25-20 loss to the Ravens. McCown is week-to-week, but a source told cleveland.com he's expected to miss multiple games.

The Browns also lost starting quarterback Robert Griffin III to a fractured left shoulder in the opener in Philadelphia that will keep him out a minimum of 8-12 weeks. The Browns are prepared to be without Griffin for the entire season.

The Browns play four of their next five on the road, which is a tall order for a rookie if McCown is out for awhile. Jackson alluded to McCown's clavicle not being "totally broken'' which means he may have suffered a hairline fracture.

Josh McCown out with shoulder injury; Cody Kessler to start vs. Dolphins

Whitehurst spent the 2015 season in Indianapolis, where Browns associate head coach/offense Pep Hamilton was his offensive coordinator until Hamilton was fired in November.  Hamilton knows him well, and will help determine if Whitehurst is ready for possible action in Miami.

A third-round pick in 2006 out of Clemson, has spent most of his career as a backup, and has gone 2-7 in his nine starts. He's completed 55.1% of his passes for 2,281 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has a career rating of 74.7.

In 2014, he was on the losing end of the biggest comeback in Browns history when he played for the Titans. Whitehurst came off the bench in relief Jake Locker and threw two touchdown passes to help build a 28-3 Titans first-half lead. But Brian Hoyer stormed back with three touchdown passes and 26 unanswered points for a 29-28 Browns victory.

Jackson stressed the importance of Monday of getting a veteran in right away.

"Regardless how long or what the situation will be with Josh, it's important we get another arm on our football team as fast as we can,'' he said. "It's too important. Too many things can happen this weekend."

Jackson opened his press conference Monday hesitant to name Kessler his starter and initially saying there was "a good chance'' he'll do so. Later, he amended that to say "it will be Cody.''

He added, "I'd like to go through the gameplan, see where we are and watch a lot more of Miami and see what we need to do in order to put together an offense that has a chance to go out and compete, has a chance to score points and win.''

The Browns now at least have an experienced backup behind the third-round pick out of USC.

The Indians greet the Royals on their final trip to Progressive Field this season. The Indians' Magic Number to clinch the AL Central is seven over the second-place Tigers.

CLEVELAND -- Here is the preview and pitching matchups for the Indians' series against the Royals in Cleveland.

Where/when: Progressive Field, Monday through Wednesday.

TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio, WTAM 1100 and WMMS/FM 100.7 will carry the series.

Pitching probables: RHP Edinson Volquez (10-11, 5.40 ERA) vs. RHP Josh Tomlin (12-8, 4.75) Monday at 7:10 p.m.; RHP Ian Kennedy (11-9, 3.60) vs. RHP Corey Kluber (17-9, 3.12) Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. and LHP Jason Vargas (0-0, 3.00) vs. RHP Mike Clevinger (2-2, 4.76) Wednesday at 7:10 p.m.

Monday: Tomlin won his last start to end a five-decision losing streak. He's 2-0 against the Royals this year and 8-4 in his career. Salvador Perez is hitting .609 (14-for-23) with one homer and six RBI against him.

Volquez is 2-2 in his last nine starts. He's 1-2 in four starts against the Indians this year and 3-6 in his career. Lonnie Chisenhall is hitting .412 (7-for-17) with three RBI against him.

Tuesday: Kluber is 9-1 in his last 13 starts. He's 1-1 in three starts against the Royals this season and 6-6 with a 3.23 ERA in his career. Eric Hosmer is hitting .277 (13-for-47) with three homers and 13 RBI against Kluber.

Kennedy is 5-0 in his last seven starts. He's 2-2 this season against the Tribe. Rajai Davis is hitting .467 (7-for-15) with one homer and three RBI against him.

Wednesday: Clevinger has allowed two earned runs in eight innings in his last two starts as the Indians continue to stretch him out. He's never faced the Royals.

Vargas, recovering from Tommy John surgery on his left elbow, will be making just his second big league start this year. He's 6-3 with a 4.70 ERA against the Tribe. Mike Napoli is hitting .375 (12-for-32) with four homers and six RBI against him.

Series: The Indians lead the Royals, 8-5. The Indians lead overall, 340-321.

Team updates: The Royals come to Cleveland after winning three straight from the White Sox. Before that they'd lost five straight. The Indians are 2-1 on this nine-game homestand, but have lost four of their last seven games.

Players to watch: Kansas City's Kendrys Morales, with two three-run homers in the his last two games, leads the big leagues with 17 RBI in September. Napoli needs two RBI to become the first Indians' player reach 100 since Travis Hafner (100) and Victor Martinez (114) in 2007.

Injuries: Royals - OF Lorenzo Cain (left hand), LHP Tim Collins (left elbow), RHP Luke Hochevar (thoracic outlet syndrome), RHP Kris Medlin (right shoulder), LHP Mike Minor (left shoulder) and 3B Mike Moustakas (right knee) are on the disabled list. Indians - C Yan Gomes (right shoulder, right hand) and LF Michael Brantley (right shoulder) are on the disabled list. RHP Carlos Carrasco (right hand) and RHP Danny Salazar (right flexor muscle) are out for the season.

Next: The White Sox visit for a three-game series starting Friday night at Progressive Field.

Cleveland sports fans wonder about karma, the officiating in Sunday's loss to the Ravens and whether the bloom is already fading on the Hue Jackson rose.

Lewis Center Olentangy, Massillon Perry, Miamisburg and Midview drop out of the in cleveland.com Ohio Super 25 football rankings for Week 5.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Stow football teams slides up a spot in Top 10 as Cincinnati La Salle takes a dip in the Ohio Super 25 entering Week 5. A few high-ranking teams also suffered losses resulting in four squads being dropped including Northeast Ohio team Midview.

Avon headlines the list of five teams debuting in the Super 25.

Reporters Tim Bielik, Nathaniel Cline and Matt Goul are among the cleveland.com panel that picks the Super 25, which is released each Tuesday. Here is this week's edition:

1. Cincinnati Colerain (4-0)

Last week: Ranked No. 1, beat Cincinnati Princeton, 38-7

This week: Thursday vs. Sycamore.

Sincere Jones goes 18 yards around right end for TD! Colerain 38 Princeton 7 8:40 4Q pic.twitter.com/RiKAB5uXLP

— WeAreColerain.com (@WeAreColerain) September 17, 2016

2. Huber Heights Wayne (3-0-1)

Last week: Ranked No. 2, beat Miamisburg, 45-12.

This week: Friday vs. Clayton Northmont.

3. St. Edward (3-1)

Last week: Ranked No. 3, lost Cincinnati Elder, 15-6.

This week: Saturday at Buchtel.

4. Stow (4-0)

Last week: Ranked No. 5, beat Wadsworth, 38-14.

This week: Friday vs. Nordonia.

5. Archbishop Moeller (3-1)

Last week: Ranked No. 6, beat Don Bosco (N.J.), 20-14.

This week: Friday at No. 8 Cincinnati St. Xavier.

6. Cincinnati La Salle (2-2)

Last week: Ranked No. 4, lost to Christian Brothers (Tenn.), 31-18.

This week: Friday at Cincinnati Winton Woods.

7. Archbishop Hoban (3-1)

Last week: Ranked No. 8, beat Royal Imperial Collegiate, 63-14.

This week: Friday at St. Vincent-St. Mary.

After a great win last night, @HobanFootball helping their bodies recover with a great yoga session!#PrepareFor15wks pic.twitter.com/ZVvie2eqH1

— HOBAN STRENGTH (@Hoban_Strength) September 17, 2016

8. Cincinnati St. Xavier (2-2)

Last week: Ranked No. 9, beat Cathedral (Indiana), 34-29.

This week: Friday vs. No. 5 Archbishop Moeller.

9. Pickerington Central (3-0)

Last week: Ranked No. 11, Groveport-Madison, 45-14.

This week: Friday at No. 15 Upper Arlington.

10. Olentangy Liberty (4-0)

Last week: Ranked No. 13, beat Hilliard Davidson, 28-3.

This week: Friday at Pickerington North.

11. Toledo Central Catholic (3-0)

Last week: Ranked No. 10, beat Oregon Clay, 50-17.

This week: Friday at No. 20 Toledo Whitmer.

Week 5 is already upon us and that means one thing...#BeatWhitmer pic.twitter.com/koqM3zop2p

— Central Catholic FB (@ToledoCCHS_FB) September 20, 2016

12. Worthington Kilbourne (4-0)

Last week: Ranked No. 12, beat Thomas Worthington, 43-6.

This week: Friday at Columbus Bishop Hartley.

13. Cincinnati Elder (3-1)

Last week: Unranked, beat St. Edward, 15-9.

This week: Friday vs. University Prep (Pa.).

14. St. Ignatius (3-1)

Last week: Ranked No. 7, lost to Detroit Central Catholic (Mich.), 28-21 (OT).

This week: Friday at Walsh Jesuit.

15. Upper Arlington (4-0)

Last week: Ranked No. 14, beat Westerville South, 27-0.

This week: Friday vs. No. 9 Pickerington Central.

16. Dublin Coffman (2-1)

Last week: Ranked No. 19, beat Lewis Center Olentangy, 35-0.

This week: Friday at Gahanna-Lincoln.

17. Avon (4-0)

Last week: Unranked, beat Midview, 45-28.

This week: Friday vs. Westlake.

18. Trotwood-Madison (3-1)

Last week: Ranked No. 16, beat Tippecanoe, 43-6.

This week: Friday vs. Greenville.

19. Springfield (2-1)

Last week: Ranked No. 18, beat Centerville, 26-20.

This week: Friday vs. Lebanon.

20. Toledo Whitmer (3-1)

Last week: Ranked No. 20, beat Lima Senior, 42-35.

This week: Friday vs. No. 11 Toledo Central Catholic.

21. Fairfield (3-1)

Last week: Ranked No. 22, beat Middletown, 42-0.

This week: Friday at Lakota West.

22. Hilliard Bradley (4-0)

Last week: Ranked No. 24, beat Hilliard Darby, 41-20.

This week: Friday at Thomas Worthington.

23. Solon (3-1)

Last week: Ranked No. 25, beat Brunswick, 53-21.

This week: Friday vs. Euclid.

24. Massillon Jackson (4-0)

Last week: Unranked, beat Massillon Perry, 21-14.

This week: Friday vs. No. 25 Uniontown Lake.

25. Uniontown Lake (4-0)

Last week: Unranked, beat Mount Vernon, 20-3.

This week: Friday at No. 24 Massillon Jackson.

DROPPED OUT

Lewis Center Olentangy (3-1, was No. 15), Massillon Perry (2-2, was No. 17), Miamisburg (3-1, was No. 21), Midview (3-1, was No. 23).

KEEP AN EYE ON

Canton McKinley (3-1, Division I, Region 1), Columbus St. Francis DeSales (4-0, Division III, Region 11), Gahanna-Lincoln (4-0, Division I, Region 3), Hudson (3-1, Division II, Region 5), Mason (3-1, Division I, Region 4).

Our mock College Football Playoff committee discusses the playoff pairings after three weeks of games.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A week of big games led to some big shakeup in our mock College Football Playoff rankings. It made things fun, and difficult.

Welcome to the party, Ohio State.

Our mock selection committee -- made up of Doug Lesmerises, Ari Wasserman and Bill Landis of cleveland.com -- met again this week to come up with College Football Playoff pairings, plus the first two teams on the outside, after a loaded Week 3 schedule.

The Buckeyes, by virtue of their 45-24 win at Oklahoma on Saturday night, are making their first appearance in our top four. We've been discussing Ohio State the whole way, but in our eyes the Buckeyes didn't have a resume worthy of real playoff consideration until after this past weekend.

Ohio State isn't the only new team in the mix.

You can see our full rankings below, and listen to the audio players embedded for our discussions of why we have these teams where they are.

Ohio State seizes College Football Playoff control

Here's a reminder of how the committee actually votes on teams. We'll try to follow this as closely as we can, though keep in mind we have three people and the committee has 12. Some things don't directly translate.

This is where we're at after Week 3:

No. 1: Louisville

No. 2: Alabama

Finally some shakeup at the top after two week's of Alabama at No. 1. Louisville, after its 63-20 win over Florida State is now at the top of our playoff rankings. Florida State is a team we had in the top four in the first two weeks, so we put a ton of value on that convincing Cardinals win.

Listen to the audio player below to hear why we landed on putting Louisville at No. 1.

Who else is in our playoff right now?

No. 3: Ohio State

No. 4: Houston

Houston has been here, but the Cougars are falling a little bit. So we spent a chunk of time talking about Ohio State and why the Buckeyes are in, but currently at No. 3. Listen to the audio player below to hear our conversation comparing Ohio State and Alabama.

So here's how our College Football Playoff would look if it started today:

Peach Bowl: No. 1 Louisville vs. No. 4 Houston (Atlanta, Ga.)

Fiesta Bowl: No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 3 Ohio State (Glendale, Ariz.)

This is where we are now, and this is very likely to change. Louisville and Houston play each other in November. Even if every team listed here won out until that point, that game could bounce the winner from playoff consideration.

But we're not projecting ahead, because that's not how the real committee does it. We're going based off what we know now. So here's who's just on the edge of the playoff:

No. 5: Michigan State

No. 6: Texas A&M

Others in consideration: Stanford, Arkansas and Michigan.

Listen to the audio player below to hear our discussion on this final batch of teams.

Previous playoff matchups from our committee

Sept. 6: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Wisconsin; No. 2 Houston vs. No. 3 Florida State

Sept. 13: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Wisconsin; No. 2 Florida State vs. No. 2 Houston

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On Saturday night I wrote a story saying the Indians wouldn't advance past the first round of the American League playoffs. Here's why I wrote it.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - I wrote a story Saturday night, saying that the Indians wouldn't advance past the American League Division Series because of recent streak of injuries. I wrote to remember the date, Sept. 17, because that's the day the Indians postseason dreams ended before they began.

A lot of people didn't like it, and I didn't think they would.

Some Indians players voiced their displeasure on social media. No problem with that. I wouldn't expect anything less from a good team that is closing in on its first AL Central title since 2007.

I wrote what I wrote because that's what I believe and still believe. I've covered the Indians since 1983. I've covered a lot of games and seen teams prepare as they're going down the stretch toward the postseason.

Here's what I know:

A team built on starting pitching, as the Indians are, is going to have a hard time advancing deep into October when it loses its No. 2 and No. 3 starters to injuries in the span of nine days during the stretch run.

The offense has done a great job this season, better than expected, but how many offenses disappear in October when the pitching improves?

Hoynes has a right to say the Indians are doomed even if it makes you irate: Chris Quinn

The Indians have overcome so much this season. Left fielder Michael Brantley played just 11 games because of a persistent right shoulder injury. Catcher Yan Gomes was scheduled to rejoin the team Friday night against Detroit, but Wednesday he suffered a broken right hand after being hit by a pitch while on rehab assignment for a dislocated right shoulder.

Give the Indians credit for working through the shoulder injuries of Brantley and Gomes. The front office gave manager Terry Francona several options to work with, and he's mixed-and-matched well.

Sept. 17, the day the Indians' playoff dream ended

But the postseason is about starting pitching. It always has been and always will be.

Kansas City won the World Series last year with a so-so rotation and a killer bullpen. Maybe the Indians can go that route, but the best part of their team for the last two years has been the rotation. Now it will be without Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar; leaving Corey Kluber, Trevor Bauer, Josh Tomlin, rookie Mike Clevinger and a host of others to get through the rest of the regular season and postseason, if it is to come.

People have reminded me about the Cavs winning the NBA title this year after being down, 3-1, in the best-of-seven-series against Golden State. But the Cavs were healthy. When they reached the Finals two years ago and lost, it was LeBron James vs. the Warriors, because the Cavs had lost several key players to injuries.

The Tribe's chances, chips on shoulders and the right to opinions and reactions: Meisel

Another thing I've been told is that beat writers can't have an opinion. Well, every writer who has ever covered a team has crossed that line. Almost every story I've written about the Indians for over 30 years has had some opinion in it. Now, people want more analysis and opinion than ever.

Does it make for some awkward moments covering a team? Sure it does. But that's part of the job.

The one thing I regret is not going to Progressive Field on Sunday on my day off after the story appeared on cleveland.com. Beat writers are with the team almost every day just for that reason - if you write something that upsets the people you cover, they should be able to have their say. But I would imagine I'll be hearing something one way or the other.

Just to make things clear: I don't work for the Indians. Do I pull for them to win or lose? No, I try to be objective.

That doesn't mean I don't like the team or its players.

Still, if I see something that I think needs to be said I'm going to write it. If you don't like it, I understand. But I'm still going to write it. I owe that to the readers.

Is it fair for a writer to reveal a harshly framed opinion a few hours after a walk-off win that showcased the Indians' depth and resiliency? Is it fair for an athlete to publicly criticize a reporter for his opinion an hour after a shaky pitching performance? Is it fair for a team to use its social media presence to egg on its fan base? Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Whenever the Indians lose a couple of games in a row, I'll receive at least one text from a concerned party.

Sometimes, it's a close friend asking, "Can they turn this around?" Sometimes, it's my aunt with the thick, Boston accent ensuring that there's still a chance for her Red Sox to meet the Indians in the postseason. Other times, it's a bygone acquaintance's urgent notification, with siren emojis and digital stick figures running in circles because the sky is falling.

I try to offer some perspective and plead for patience -- not because I'm necessarily confident in the team's ability to rebound, but because I prefer to watch the team attempt to tackle its obstacles head-on, rather than declare in advance that it can or can't.

It's a fan's prerogative to treat every game as life or death. Writers aren't wise to operate in that fashion, especially when covering a 162-game baseball season. We've heard many managers and coaches across all sports preach that you can never get too high after a win or too low after a loss.

Hoynes has a right to say the Indians are doomed even if it makes you irate: Chris Quinn

Otherwise, we would have called for Corey Kluber's head in April. Cody Allen and Bryan Shaw never would have survived their early, dreadful starts. The Cavaliers would've closed up shop after their 19-20 start to the 2014-15 campaign, one that ended with an NBA Finals trip.

There hasn't been much for which to fault the Indians this season. The front office hit on its free-agent signings and summer acquisitions. The lineup -- about which many were skeptical before the season -- is stocked with players enjoying career years. The Indians are the only team in the league not to endure a losing streak longer than three games.

Hoynes: Why I wrote the Indians wouldn't get past the first round of the AL playoffs

The only things that haven't gone the organization's way this season have been Jonathan Lucroy's decision-making and the infiltration of a relentless injury bug.

If told in March that Michael Brantley would only appear in 11 games, no one would have believed that the Indians would hold a seven-game lead in the AL Central in mid-September. Add in the fact that no Cleveland catcher has hit his weight -- Chris Gimenez is listed at a muscular 230 pounds -- and that Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco missed chunks of the season and the Indians' 86-63 record becomes even more mystifyingly impressive.

How will rotation survive sans Carrasco?

Now, saying all of that, October will present a new set of challenges, and the losses of Carrasco and (potentially) Salazar undoubtedly decrease this team's chances of ending the franchise's 68-year championship drought. Terry Francona and Co. are fortunate they have two weeks -- and the comfort of a division lead -- to unearth a recipe for postseason roster construction.

Is it necessary to speak in absolutes when considering that roster's chances against the likes of the Rangers or Red Sox? Is the Indians' season over? To each his own. Go ahead and summon the siren emojis if you want.

On the other hand, we've seen Wild Card teams win the World Series. We've seen Chad Ogea nearly capture a World Series MVP award. We've seen staffs featuring Edinson Volquez as Game 1 starter win the whole darn thing. The playoffs can be a crapshoot.

But it's not as if the Indians and the loaded Cubs have the exact same chances. The moment Ian Kinsler's line drive ricocheted off of Carrasco's hand, the Indians' World Series odds took a plunge. Per FanGraphs, they have decreased by about 30 percent over the last 10 days. We might, in fact, look back at Sept. 17 as the day that changed the Indians' fortunes in 2016. Or, we might point to that date as just another hurdle in a season full of them.

Hoynes: Postseason dreams ended Sept. 17

It's understandable why the players would band together in search of any bulletin board material that they can use as kindling for their motivational blaze. Every sport needs that underdog with an "us against the world" mentality. Jason Kipnis and Trevor Bauer led the charge on Twitter over the weekend.

Writers are entitled to their opinions and the way in which they present them. Players are entitled to react to those opinions or to simply block out the noise. Fans are entitled to agree or disagree with the opinions or actions of all parties involved. Thanks for all of that, James Madison and friends.

Is it fair for a writer to reveal a harshly framed opinion a few hours after a walk-off win that showcased the Indians' depth and resiliency? Is it fair for an athlete to publicly criticize a reporter for his opinion an hour after a shaky pitching performance? Is it fair for a team to use its social media presence to egg on its fan base? Those answers are all up to the eye of the beholder.

More than a few friends, relatives and acquaintances reached out to ask about the Indians' postseason chances once Carrasco walked off the field, fifth metacarpal in two. There's not much to gain, from my perspective, in forming an immediate, specific opinion about the future. That said, there's also no need to sugarcoat the present: The Indians will miss Carrasco, obviously.

Every player in the Indians' clubhouse now has a chip on his shoulder. Maybe the fallout from Carrasco's injury will provide the team with some quasi-incentive boost.

It's easier said than done, but, for now, we might as well sit back and watch it all unfold.

Terry Francona and Mike Napoli were the first two to arrive in the dugout before Friday's series opener against the Tigers. Napoli told Francona he was nervous to play such a significant September game.

"I said, 'I'm always that way,'" Francona said. "'This [stuff] is fun, man.' It is. Are you kidding me? If you can't enjoy this..."