Pat Shurmur hopes QB Brandon Weeden, RB Trent Richardson return vs Pittsburgh Steelers – NFL News
Cleveland Browns coach Pat Shurmur said he is hopeful about return of quarterback Brandon Weeden and running back Trent Richardson from respective injuries to play the season’s last game against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday (Dec. 30).
Both players were injured in the Browns’ game versus the Denver Broncos on Dec. 23, and since then there is no update about scope of their injuries and recovery status. Brandon hurt his shoulder while Trent injured his ankle.
Pat however said that both of Browns’ star performers have avoided getting serious injuries and he hoped they can be part of the team in the final game of the season.
The coach said:
"I wouldn't rule them out yet. We're still evaluating those injuries. In the case of Trent, it involved his ankle. The X-rays didn't show a break. He was actually feeling better today. Brandon, it was his right shoulder. At this point it's a sprain.”
He added:
"I think it's important if guys are physically able to play, they play. That's the competitive nature of this game."
It is expected that the situation should be clearer about the possibility of their comeback later in the week, depending upon their ability to return to the field for training, either on Wednesday or Friday. The Browns are playing the Pittsburgh Steelers
in the season finale.
Meanwhile, Pat has defended his decision of replacing Weeden with Colt McCoy, although the backup quarterback has complained being not fully ready to play in the pocket. McCoy during his post-game remarks expressed fears of letting himself exposed on the
field given he was not prepared for the role.
Shurmur however rejected the choice of McCoy to complain of the situation. The coach said there was no other alternative for him unless he wanted to stop the game altogether.
Nevertheless, McCoy was lucky to play the entire last quarter of the game without getting hurt. He also managed to complete first pass of the season. It is pertinent to note that McCoy had spent last three games of the past season and then offseason period
without action while recovering from a concussion he had suffered into closing period of the regular season.
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