A shot to the ribs ended the game of Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShone Kizer early on Sunday. It was a pretty brutal hit that had Kizer on the ground in pain for a while, and he immediately exited the contest.
But after the game, the X-Rays on the rookie quarterback came back clear, and he’s set to play next week.
X-rays on Kizer’s ribs negative and he’ll play next week. Feels I️t was his best game
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) November 12, 2017
Cleveland coach Hue Jackson agreed with his quarterback’s assessment.
“I thought DeShone played probably the best game he’s played,” Jackson said, per Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland.com. “I saw a guy who was competing and playing quarterback. He was firing up the offense, the defense and the special teams. The lessons and conversations that we’ve had, they’re catching on. I saw a better version of him today. I see a guy who’s starting to get it, and that’s huge.”
The quarterback finished the day at 21-for-37 for 232 yards with a touchdown and a pick. The 21 passes and 232 yards were both the second best totals of Kizer’s career, trailing only a game against the Indianapolis Colts when he was 22-for-47 with 242 yards passing.
Kizer, Jackson, and the Browns definitely have a lot of work to do. But despite the result and injury, Week 10 was a clear step in the right direction.