AFC NORTH As Holcomb hobbles, Browns turn to Couch

Cleveland may sign rookie quarterback Nate Hybl off the practice squad.
BEREA (AP) -- Tim Couch has been handed back his starting job -- at least for one week.
Couch, demoted to a backup role after four seasons as Cleveland's No. 1 quarterback, will start Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, replacing the injured Kelly Holcomb.
"I feel good about it," Couch said. "You always want to play. I hate that it came with Kelly getting injured, you never want to see that. But I've got to take advantage of my opportunity, go in and play well and try and get a win."
Couch didn't learn he would make his 2003 debut until before practice Thursday.
"It's exciting," he said. "I'm looking forward to a chance to get back out there and play again. Hopefully, everything goes well and we get a victory."
Holcomb broke his right fibula during the first quarter of Sunday's comeback win at San Francisco. He also sprained his left ankle in the third quarter but refused to come out and rallied the Browns to a 13-12 win by throwing two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter.
Uncertainty
On Wednesday, Browns coach Butch Davis said he would wait until after pregame warmups Sunday before deciding who would start at QB. However, Holcomb's injuries haven't responded as quickly as expected to round-the-clock treatments, prompting Davis to make the switch.
"There's too much uncertainty," Davis said.
If he's healthy enough, Holcomb could be on the active roster as Couch's backup, Davis said, or perhaps dress as the third-stringer. The Browns are currently carrying just two quarterbacks on their 53-man roster.
Rookie Nate Hybl is on the practice squad and could be signed in time for Sunday's game.
Couch, a former No. 1 overall draft pick, lost his job before the season opener when Davis ended a six-month long quarterback controversy by relying on a "gut feeling" to name Holcomb his starter.
Holcomb had waited seven years for the chance to start, which may explain why the 31-year-old gritted his teeth and played through the pain in last Sunday's win over the 49ers.
If Couch plays well this week, Davis could find himself right back in the middle of a quarterback dilemma. However, he's trying not to think that far ahead.
"Right now, all we're worried about is Cincinnati," Davis said. "I haven't thought past us trying to win this game."
Focused
Couch, too, is staying focused solely on the Bengals. There isn't time yet to worry about reclaiming his job from Holcomb.
"I haven't even thought about that," he said. "This happened so quick. I just want to go in and get a win. All I'm worried about is the near future."
Couch figured he might be back in the lineup after seeing Holcomb struggle to walk Wednesday. Couch worked exclusively with the first-team offense the last two days.
"He was hobbling around," Couch said. "He was in some pain. He was an absolute warrior to go out there and play on Sunday. He did everything he could do, now he's just got to heal up and get back out there."
It's ironic Couch would get his job back following an injury to Holcomb.
Last year, Couch broke his right fibula in the regular season finale against Atlanta and had to miss the Browns' playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
That opened the door for Holcomb, who made the most of his opportunity by passing for 429 yards -- the third most in NFL postseason history -- in Cleveland's 36-33 loss.
Couch is aware that this could be a chance to jump-start his career.
"Anytime you get a chance to go out and play on Sunday you want to play well," he said. "Everyone sees what you do on Sunday and you want to go out and put on a good performance, and that's what I want to do."