Browns' Colt McCoy still out with concussion
Trainers tend to Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy after he was hit by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison. (Dec. 8, 2011) Credit: AP
Browns quarterback Colt McCoy’s season appears over, finished by the infamous hit from Steelers linebacker James Harrison three weeks ago.
McCoy still has not been cleared by team doctors to practice after sustaining a concussion on Dec. 8, and will likely miss the season finale Sunday against Pittsburgh.
Browns coach Pat Shurmur said Wednesday that McCoy is “much better” and has increased his physical activity.
However, the second-year QB has not yet passed the necessary medical tests to return to the field. McCoy has not practiced or played since being leveled on an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit by Harrison, who was suspended one game without pay for the vicious blow.
Shurmur said McCoy took part in team meetings and is at the team’s facility and “taking care of what he needs to do to get back healthy.”
Shurmur did not provide specifics on what symptoms McCoy is still experiencing. Shurmur said McCoy is tested daily but did not give any details on what assessments the team gives players with concussions.
“He needs to be medically cleared before he can practice or play and that hasn’t happened,” Shurmur said. “He’s not passing it, so whatever that means, until it’s passed he can’t play and it’s pretty cut and dry.”
Seneca Wallace, who has started Cleveland’s past two games, is expected to start this third straight game this week against Harrison and the Steelers.
“He’s taking all the (practice) reps and the longer it goes in the week there’s a darn good shot he’ll be the starter.”
McCoy has not spoken to the media since after the game in Pittsburgh 20 days ago.
Shurmur does not expect his team to retaliate against Harrison, who has given three Browns players concussions in the past two years.
“We coach our players play fast and physical, between the snap the whistle,” he said. “We teach our guys to play by the rules and quite frequently if you do things outside the rules you get penalized. Beyond that I think it detracts from what you’re trying to get done.”
