Delhomme returns to starting lineup for Browns

Associated Press

BEREA

Jake Delhomme’s back where he started.

The veteran quarterback, who signed as a free agent with Cleveland to revive his career but has been slowed for nearly two months by a sprained ankle, will start Sunday as the Browns (3-7) play host to the Carolina Panthers (1-9), Delhomme’s former team.

Coach Eric Mangini took the unusual step of officially choosing Delhomme his starter on Friday. Mangini typically waits until just before gametime before revealing his starting QB in order to keep the opposition off-balance.

But perhaps out of respect for Delhomme, Mangini said the 35-year-old will start.

Delhomme began the season as Cleveland’s starter, but got hurt in the first half of the season opener at Tampa Bay. He came back too early and reinjured his ankle a few weeks later after Seneca Wallace suffered the same high ankle sprain.

Delhomme has been inactive for eight games, but he’s again first on Cleveland’s depth chart after rookie Colt McCoy rolled his ankle last week at Jacksonville and is out indefinitely.

“The revolving door,” offensive coordinator Brian Daboll said.

McCoy, who went 2-3 as a starter, was seen briefly in Cleveland’s locker room. He did not practice this week or speak with reporters. After showering, McCoy limped through the locker room carrying a walking boot he must wear to immobilize his ankle.

Delhomme played seven seasons with Carolina, but was waived in March after throwing a career-high 18 interceptions last season. Earlier this week, he said he’s not looking for any revenge against the Panthers, whom he led to a Super Bowl.

“I had my chance there and we had a good run,” Delhomme said. “That’s kind of how I feel and I just want to go out and play for this team. That’s the thing I am most disappointed in because of all the stuff we did in the offseason and preseason, I haven’t been able to do that.”

Mangini said he is “pretty optimistic” about receiver Joshua Cribbs playing Sunday. Cribbs missed last week’s game with dislocated toes. The Browns listed him as questionable — a 50-50 chance of playing — on their injury report Friday.

Also on Friday, the Browns announced they signed punter Reggie Hodges to a two-year contract extension, locking up the potential restricted free agent.

Hodges played in eight games last season for Cleveland after Dave Zastudil was injured and averaged 39.8 yards on 45 punts. He assumed the starter’s job in training camp this year when Zastudil couldn’t kick after undergoing offseason knee surgery. The Browns recently waived Zastudil.

Hodges is averaging 44 yards on 51 punts and leads the NFL with 11 punts inside the opponent’s 10-yard line.Hodges also made one of the Browns’ biggest plays, running 68 yards on a fake in an upset of New Orleans.