Campbell will start at QB for Browns

Associated Press

BEREA

Jason Campbell’s headaches are gone, and for the moment, so are Cleveland’s pains at quarterback.

Campbell, who sat out last week’s game with a concussion, has been cleared by an independent neurologist to play and will start on Sunday when the Browns visit New England.

His return is a huge relief to the Browns, who are also without part-time starter Brandon Weeden because of a concussion and were facing the prospect of starting either quarterback Caleb Hanie or Alex Tanney — both signed in the past week — against the Patriots and defensive-fixated coach Bill Belichick.

Campbell’s comeback has taken some pressure off.

“He’s going to help us,” linebacker D’Qwell Jackson said. “He’s played well when he was healthy, and he’s shown he can be a trooper and take a pounding and still come back. I’m happy for him, and he’s going to give this team a big boost.”

Weeden sustained a concussion last week and has been ruled out Sunday. Browns coach Rob Chudzinski said he hasn’t decided if Campbell’s backup will be Hanie or Tanney.

Campbell practiced for the second straight day on Friday, and following the workout inside Cleveland’s field house said he’s ready to resume what has been a “roller-coaster season” for him and his teammates.

“I feel great,” said Campbell, who was injured on Nov. 24 on a blindside hit by Pittsburgh cornerback William Gay. “Our training staff has done an outstanding job taking the protocols seriously and making sure that before you get back out on the field that you’re 100 percent ready to go.

“I had a great two days of practice.”

NOTES

Starting DE Desmond Bryant underwent a successful surgical procedure at the Cleveland Clinic to correct an irregular heartbeat. A team spokesman said Bryant had a cardiac ablation to fix the condition. He is expected to make a full recovery and resume his career. Bryant finished with 45 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks in 12 starts. Chudzinski did not say who will start for Bryant, but Billy Winn, John Hughes and rookie Armonty Bryant will get more playing time. ... LBs Craig Robertson (knee) and Tank Carder (shoulder) are listed as questionable on the injury report.