BEREA, Ohio — Here’s a switch: The Browns dropped Derek Anderson.
The inconsistent Pro Bowl quarterback, whose production this season has been slowed by dropped passes, was benched Monday by the Browns, who will start popular backup Brady Quinn on Thursday night against the Broncos in hopes of turning around a disappointing season.
The surprising and unexpected swap was announced Monday by the team, just hours after coach Romeo Crennel said he had no plans to make a change.
On Sunday, Anderson threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown in the final minutes of a 37-27 loss to the Ravens. The pick prompted Browns fans to chant “Brady! Brady!” for Quinn, who has thrown eight passes in two seasons.
Those fans are getting their wish.
A team spokesman said Crennel and Quinn would not be available for comment until today.
Anderson had gone 132 pass attempts without an interception before he was picked off by Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, who stepped in front of a screen pass and ran it back 42 yards for a TD. Anderson finished 17-of-33 for 219 yards and two TDs.
• Wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, forced to sit out the 2008 season because of a serious staph infection in his surgically repaired right knee, said he plans to come back next season for his beloved Browns.
“I’m not giving up,” he said. “I’m playing next year. It’s not, I’m going to try. I am playing next year.”
Bears await word on Orton
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — One day after leaving the field on a cart, Bears quarterback Kyle Orton was undergoing more tests on his right ankle to determine the extent of his injury.
Orton was injured in the final minute of the first half in Sunday’s 27-23 victory over the Lions, forcing the Bears to turn to former starter Rex Grossman. And Chicago might be without Orton for a few weeks.
“I’m not playing doctor; you shouldn’t either,” coach Lovie Smith said. “You should let us come and tell you once we know for sure exactly what the injury is. We’re hopeful, I’ll just say that.”
Asked if the injury was more than just a sprain, Smith said: “It’s an ankle injury. That’s about all I’m going to tell you right now. Wednesday, I’ll tell you more.”
He also offered few details about safety Mike Brown’s calf injury, although Smith said he doesn’t think it’s season-ending.
Schaub out with knee injury
HOUSTON — Texans quarterback Matt Schaub injured his left knee during Sunday’s loss to the Vikings and will be out at least two weeks, possibly up to a month.
Coach Gary Kubiak said he wasn’t sure if Schaub would need surgery. The current treatment plan is for Schaub to rest and stay off his knee. When he returns he will have to wear a brace.
Sage Rosenfels will start in Schaub’s absence.
Vikings’ Allen hurts shoulder
MINNEAPOLIS — The Vikings could be without Jared Allen for Sunday’s game against the Packers.
The defensive end suffered a sprained right shoulder in Minnesota’s win over Houston, an injury he played through, and managed two of the team’s five sacks.
Afterward, Allen dismissed any concern about his condition by saying: “It’s football. You get beat up.”
Footnotes.
Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (back) might return to practice this week for the first time in more than a month but is unlikely to play Sunday at Miami.
Also, defensive end Patrick Kerney is having surgery this week on his left shoulder. Coach Mike Holmgren said Kerney could miss two weeks or the rest of the season.
• Quarterback Daunte Culpepper has agreed to a two-year deal with the Lions and said he would sign it after taking a physical.
• The Saints placed defensive end Charles Grant (triceps) on injured reserve and re-signed veteran defensive tackle Hollis Thomas.
• Bills safety Donte Whitner is out indefinitely with a separated right shoulder.
The Associated Press
