Colt McCoy Injury: McCoy Needs Lights Turned Off During Post-Game Interview

The Cleveland Browns may have some questions to answer later today and not all just about another AFC North loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.  After quarterback Colt McCoy was lit up by James Harrison, McCoy returned to the game after one play.  Problem is, after the game, McCoy needed all the lights in the interview room turned down - at the request of the Browns.  

Sensitivity to light is one of the many signs of 'concussion-like symptoms'.  Add to that a report that McCoy didn't remember the hit and you have to wonder if McCoy underwent any kind of concussion testing on the sideline.  The NFL has made detecting concussions in-game a priority, and we've seen players in the past remain sidelined during the game as teams played it safe with apparent head injuries.

When asked if he felt the hit was dirty, Browns head coach Pat Shurmur thought so.

"Well, I mean it was penalized, right?'' said Shurmur. "I think (the officials) felt it was, so it was penalized.''

It remains to be seen if Shurmur and the Browns will have to answer for anything else.

James Harrison's Hit On Colt McCoy Will Probably Earn Him A Fine

In the fourth quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers' 14-3 win over the Cleveland Browns, Colt McCoy was struck helmet-to-helmet by none other than Steelers' linebacker James Harrison.  Harrison, who has been the recipient of many NFL fines from the Commissioner's office during his career due to hits of the helmet-to-helmet variety, will almost certainly receive another after leading with the crown of his helmet on McCoy. 

Here's video of the play in question: 

It looked like McCoy was seriously injured at first, laying on the ground and moving nothing but his legs slightly side to side. McCoy was tended to by trainers on the field and was forced to leave the game. He'd only be out for two plays, though, as he returned on the same possession. Unfortunately, he threw it to the wrong team three times (one was reversed) in the final five minutes, including one in the end zone that killed any chance Cleveland had of an upset win over the Steelers. 

Browns Vs. Steelers Final Score: Colt McCoy's 2 Late Interceptions Kills Cleveland's Chances In 14-3 Loss

Ben Roethlisberger was able to overcome a second quarter injury to lead the Steelers to a 14-3 victory on Thursday night against the Cleveland Browns.  Colt McCoy, on the other hand, couldn't comeback from a helmet-to-helmet hit to potentially help the Browns pull off an upset. 

Down 7-3 in the fourth quarter, Cleveland was at the Steelers' 16 yard line, thanks to a roughing the passing penalty called on Jerome Harrison for leading with the crown of his helmet and connecting with McCoy's head. The play injured McCoy, but McCoy was able to return two plays later. Unfortunately, on his second throw after returning to the game, he was intercepted in the end zone by William Gay with a little over three minutes to play. 

A couple plays later, Roethlisberger connected with Antonio Brown for a 79 yard touchdown to put things out of reach. 

McCoy would throw two more interceptions on the Browns' last-ditch effort (one was reversed) and Cleveland ultimately fell by a final of 14-3. 

Roethlisberger, with a heavy limp, was 16-of-21 passing with 281 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Antonio Brown had a career high 151 yards receiving, including the aforementioned 79 yard touchdown reception. 

Colt McCoy was 18-of-35 for 209 yards passing and two interceptions. For whatever it's worth, both of his interceptions came in the final four minutes of the game after Harrison's hit temporarily knocked him out of the game. 

Ben Roethlisberger Injury Update: X-Ray's Negative, Steelers' QB Playing Hurt In Second Half

After seeing the direction Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's left ankle bent and how he was walking off the field with the help of a couple of trainers in the second quarter, it looked bleak for him to return vs. the Cleveland Browns. Heck, it looked like the Steelers may have just lost their quarterback for awhile, not just the second half of the Week 14 game. 

That's not the case, though -- Roethlisberger actually took the field for the Steelers' first possession of the second half. He's playing with a serious limp and thick tape job, but he's really doing it. 

X-rays taken during half time came up negative, but the speculation by the NFL Network was that it is a high ankle sprain. As Roethlisberger was seen with his left shoe off and walking with an extremely heavy limp entering the Steelers locker room, the NFL Network analysts didn't think there was any way Big Ben would (or should) be playing in the second half vs. the Browns. Au contraire, Big Ben took snaps before the second half commenced and ultimately received a nice ovation from the crowd as he limp-jogged to the huddle when the Steelers offense took the field for the first time in the third quarter. 

On his first possession, Big Ben was 2-of-4 for 26 yards. He continues to pace the sidelines, trying to keep the ankle warm while the Steelers defense is on the field. 

Ben Roethlisberger Injury Update: Video Of Steelers' QB's Ankle Bending Backwards

Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was forced to leave Thursday night's game vs. the Cleveland Browns due to an apparent ankle injury. Roethlisberger was already dealing with a thumb and ankle injury coming into this week. 

We have video of Roethlisberger as he is walking gingerly off the field with the help of a couple of trainers, as well as a replay of the Scott Paxson sack that caused the injury: 

Roethlisberger had to be helped onto a cart before being hauled to an x-ray room during the waning moments of the second quarter. We'll have an update on how that x-ray turns out after it becomes available. 

Roethlisberger was 8-for-9 for 102 yards and a touchdown before being injured. His replacement Charlie Batch was 0-for-2 passing. If Roethlisberger can't go in the second half and Batch were to get injured, wide receiver Hines Ward is the Steelers' emergency third string quarterback. 

Ben Roethlisberger Injury: Steelers' QB Leaves In Second Quarter With Apparent Ankle Injury

With a little under five minutes left in the second quarter and the Pittsburgh Steelers up 7-3 on the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers' QB Ben Roethlisberger is out of the game due to injury. Backup quarterback Charlie Batch is currently running the Pittsburgh offense as Roethlisberger is being tended to in the locker room.

Roethlisberger was injured when he was sacked on a first down around the Steelers' own 12 yard line. Roethlisberger tried to avoid the Cleveland pass rush, but wound up getting dragged down by defensive tackle Scott Paxson, who recorded his first career sack on the play. As Big Ben tumbled to the grass, his already bum left ankle bent in a way it should not bend. 

Roethlisberger was tended to by team trainers on the field as NFL Network went to commercial break. When they returned from commercial, Roethlisberger was being helped to the locker room, each careful step producing a look of pain and concern on the Pro Bowl quarterback's face. 

We'll obviously update you as more information becomes available. 

Browns Vs. Steelers Score: McCoy, Roethlisberger Impressive Early, Steelers Lead 7-3

Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy was impressive on the team's opening possession against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the Browns were forced to settle for a field goal after an apparent touchdown run by McCoy was overturned on review.

McCoy was 4-4 for 69 yards to start the game, including long completions to tight end Evan Moore and Josh Cribbs.  It was a 3rd and goal from inside the one after the reversal, however, that left a sour taste in the Browns mouth.  McCoy handed off to running back Peyton Hillis but had no shot as the entire left side of the Browns offensive line was pushed 3 yards into the backfield.

After holding the Browns to a field goal, the Steelers wen on an impressive drive of their own, going 73 yards in five plays before Ben Roethlisberger hit Jerricho Cotchery on an 11-yard touchdown pass.  Like McCoy, Roethlisberger was perfect on his first drive, going 3-3 for 45 yards.

Browns Vs. Steelers: Injuries And Inactives Announced, But Peyton Hillis Will Play

The Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers are meeting in a special Thursday Night Football game for the weekly showcase on NFL Network. The inactive report was released about an hour before the game and, surprisingly, no injuries will keep the starting running backs out of action for the Browns.

The Browns will have both Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty available when they face the Steelers on Thursday night. One player they won't have available is safety T.J. Ward so Usama Young will be placed into the starting lineup.

The Steelers will be without key players LaMarr Woodley and Emmanuel Sanders. The reports say that Jason Worilds will replace Woodley in the starting lineup while Sanders just removes one of Ben Roethlisberger's receiving options. 

Te entire inactive report is listed below.

BROWNS: QB Thaddeus Lewis, S T.J. Ward, OL Steve Vallos, OT Oniel Cousins, TE Jordan Cameron, LB Quinton Spears and DL Auston English. Usama Young replaces Ward at safety.

STEELERS: LB LaMarr Woodley, WR Emmanuel Sanders, LB Chris Carter, DE Al Woods, OT Jamon Meredith, WR Arnaz Battle and QB Dennis Dixon. Jason Worilds will start in place of Woodley at outside linebacker.

Browns Vs. Steelers: Game Time, TV Schedule, Radio Streaming And More

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Cleveland Browns Injury Report: Colt McCoy Expected To Start Versus Steelers

Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy practiced on Tuesday and Wednesday for the first time since spraining his right knee in a 24-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last week and he is listed as probable on the team's injury report for Thursday's Week 14 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

McCoy is still aiming for his first win against an AFC North opponent -- he is currently 0-7 against division opponents, via the Associated Press. The native Texas made his first NFL start last season at Heinz Field but despite completing 23-33 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown in an impressive debut, McCoy was also intercepted twice and the Browns lost 28-10. McCoy and the Browns suffered an even worse fate on the final day of their season last year, falling 41-9 to Pittsburgh.

Meanwhile, running back Peyton Hillis was limited in practice again on Wednesday, just as he was on Monday and Tuesday, and is listed as questionable. Fellow running back Montario Hardesty (calf) has practiced all week and is probable. Like Hillis, safety Mike Adams (shoulder) and tackle Tony Pashos (ankle) are questionable after being limited all week as well.

Linebacker Chris Gocong (hip) and defensive end Jayme Mitchell (ankle) are listed as probable while linebacker Quinton Spears (hamstring) and safety T.J. Ward (safety) are listed as out.

Browns Receivers Lead NFL In Dropped Passes

The Cleveland Browns have eclipsed 20 points just once all season long, and that was all the way back in Week 2 in a 27-19 over what are now the 0-11 Indianapolis Colts. Indeed, scoring has been a major problem, as the Browns rank 28th in points score averaging 14.6 per game.

Via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, one reason for the offensive struggle is that Cleveland's receivers have dropped an NFL-worst 35 passes this season.

"You can't drop balls," coach Pat Shurmur said Monday. "You just can't do it, especially when they're catchable. We talk about it all the time and the players will tell you -- any ball in the air is ours, thrown by our quarterback or theirs. That needs to be the mentality and we've got to get that done."

Among the culprits against the Ravens were Greg Little, Evan Moore (who dropped one in the endzone) and Ben Watson.

The Browns will need to cut down on the drops when they play on Thursday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who not only have allowed the third fewest points in the AFC, but also just scored 35 over the weekend in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Browns' Colt McCoy Day-To-Day With Knee Sprain, Should Play Thursday Against Steelers

On Monday, Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur spoke to the media following the team's loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Shurmur talked about Peyton Hillis and his injury, and also shed some light on what was ailing starting quarterback, Colt McCoy. According to CBS Sports, McCoy has a knee sprain and is day-to-day. Shurmur said that McCoy is "just sore" and that he expects him to play on Thursday against the Steelers.

McCoy struggled mightily against the Ravens on Sunday, just as he did against the Cincinnati Bengals a week before that. This will be the third hard-nosed, hard-hitting defense in as many weeks for the Browns, and this one will be on a short week. The team plays the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football on the NFL Network.

The Browns quarterback left Sunday's game in the first quarter after being hit by Baltimore's Arthur Jones. He returned for Cleveland' next possession after being treated on the sideline.

Peyton Hillis Has Left Hip Strain, Is Day-To-Day With Short Week

The Cleveland Browns really can't catch a break when it comes to their star running back. After a thoroughly impressive 2010 season, Peyton Hillis has been underwhelming while playing this season, and especially so when he's sitting on the bench with an injury. Truth be told, he hasn't got much of a chance to get into a groove, suffering a bad hamstring injury that was re-injured twice.

Now, it looks like he could be hurt again. According to Mary Kay Cabot, Hillis has a left hip strain. It appears that Hillis will be day to day with the injury:

#Browns coach Pat Shurmur said he'll have to see how Peyton Hillis (hip) does through week, which is really just 2 days 'til Pitt Thurs.

The Browns take on the Steelers on Thursday Night Football this week, so the team already will likely have to prepare for their AFC North rivals without Hillis in practice. He's technically day to day with his injury, but he'll have to get a whole let better in a very short amount of time to be ready for the short week.

Browns Vs. Steelers NFL Preview: Cleveland Looking To The Future

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