Brandon Weeden (thumb) has been medically cleared, but he will not start Thursday's Week 5 game against the Browns.

The Browns are predictably rolling with Brian Hoyer, who has won two straight games and thrown for 590 yards with five touchdowns in the process. During Weeden's two starts, he went 0-2 while throwing for 516 yards and one touchdown. If Hoyer continues to play respectably, Weeden may have played his last down as a Brown. The new regime loves Hoyer and has no ties to Weeden.

Brandon Weeden (thumb) could be cleared to practice next week.

Weeden is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a sprained right thumb and has already resumed a throwing program. It remains to be seen if he'll get his starting job back from Brian Hoyer once he's healthy enough to return.

Brandon Weeden (thumb) has been ruled out for Week 4.

Weeden is expected to begin throwing later this week, making Week 5 a possibility for his return. But beat writers covering the Browns believe that the starting quarterback job is now Brian Hoyer's to lose. Weeden should secretly be hoping for Hoyer to faceplant against the Bengals Sunday.

Browns coach Rob Chudzinski remained noncommittal Friday when asked if Brandon Weeden (thumb) will get his starting job back upon return.

In other words, Brian Hoyer has a big opportunity Sunday against the Vikings. He could keep the job if he plays well. "We're just going to take it week by week and see where he's at and where we're at," Chud said of Weeden. "He's played two games. I'd love to see more of him." Meantime, dirt has been shoveled upon Jason Campbell, who is now Cleveland's third-string quarterback.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Brandon Weeden's sprained throwing thumb does not require surgery, and he could return as early as Week 4.

The question is if he'll be returning as the starter. The Browns are tanking the season, and GM Mike Lombardi is a long-time admirer of Sunday's fill-in starter Brian Hoyer. Weeden clearly isn't a part of Lombardi's long-term plans, and could find himself on the bench if Hoyer is something close to competent against the Vikings. There's no guarantee he will be.

Coach Rob Chudzinski suggested that Brandon Weeden (thumb) isn't a lock to eventually get his starting job back.

Brian Hoyer, a favorite of GM Mike Lombardi, will start Sunday's game in Minnesota. "I'm going to leave all of the options open," said Chud. "It's a matter of where he's at from a health standpoint -- all of that plays into it -- where we're at and how guys are playing, as well." With Trent Richardson gone, we can't imagine the Browns offense doing much under Hoyer. Weeden is a good bet to get the gig back once cleared.

Brandon Weeden (thumb) has been ruled out of Sunday's Week 3 game against the Vikings.

Per NFL Network, an MRI on Weeden's throwing thumb showed no long-term damage. He'll take a week of rest and then the Browns will reevaluate him ahead of a Week 4 game against the Bengals. Brian Hoyer will start against Minnesota.

ESPN Cleveland's "guess" is that Brandon Weeden will be sidelined for Week 3.

The Akron Beacon-Journal guessed the same thing on Monday. Although Weeden has been exceptionally shaky through his first two starts, his absence would be a big blow for the returning Josh Gordon. Likely fill-in Jason Campbell has one of the slowest throwing motions you will ever see, and is a major downgrade. No. 3 QB Brian Hoyer is a dark horse to start.

The Akron Beacon-Journal reports Brandon Weeden (thumb) will likely be sidelined for Sunday's Week 3 game against the Vikings.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports Brandon Weeden is undergoing an MRI on his sprained right (throwing) thumb.

X-rays were negative, but apparently in the inconclusive sense. It's possible Weeden is dealing with a torn ligament. His status is up in the air for Sunday's game in Minnesota. Weeden has been rough through his first two starts, but he still gives the Browns a much better chance to win than Jason Campbell, who was a disaster as Jay Cutler's backup last season.

Brandon Weeden's injury is being called a sprained right (throwing) thumb.

Weeden smacked his hand against the helmet of left guard John Greco midway through the fourth quarter. X-rays were negative, but he couldn't finish the game. "It was tough to put pressure on the ball," Weeden said. "It hurts. Doesn't feel too good." Jason Campbell will start in Week 3 if Weeden can't go.

Brandon Weeden completed 21-of-33 passes for 227 yards and rushed twice for seven yards in the Browns' Week 2 loss to Baltimore before leaving with a fourth-quarter thumb injury.

Jason Campbell essentially performed mop-up duty. Weeden lacked composure and awareness, failing to lead a single touchdown drive and committing three delay-of-game penalties. He absorbed five sacks, although it felt like more; the Browns' pocket often collapsed. Cleveland heads to Minnesota in Week 3. Due to his thumb injury, Weeden's status for the game is uncertain.

Brandon Weeden exited Sunday's game in the fourth quarter with a thumb injury.

Journeyman Jason Campbell is coming in. Weeden hit his hand on a helmet and is likely going for X-rays. Before departing, Weeden had three delay-of-game penalties and engineered zero touchdown drives in a rough performance.

Coach Rob Chudzinski insisted that Brandon Weeden is not on a short leash.

Weeden completed just 49.0 percent of his passes and threw three interceptions in Week 1. But he suffered from bad drops and had Cameron Wake in his grill the entire game. Once Josh Gordon (suspension) and Shawn Lauvao (ankle) get back, Weeden will be in a better spot to succeed. Jason Campbell is his backup.

Brandon Weeden completed 26-of-53 passes for 289 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions in Sunday's Week 1 loss to the Dolphins.

Brandon Weeden completed 12-of-25 passes for 105 yards and rushed once for five yards in the Browns' third preseason game.

It was quite the step back for Weeden, who struggled mightily when pressured after two strong preseason games to begin August. Through three exhibitions, Weeden has completed 30-of-50 throws (60 percent) for 334 yards (6.68 YPA), three touchdowns, and no interceptions. He's a long shot for serious 2013 fantasy value, but we still wouldn't rule out flirtations with QB2 production.

The Browns have named Brandon Weeden their starting quarterback, as expected.

The Browns insisted on calling their quarterback spot a competition, even saying last week the battle was "close." Coach Rob Chudzinski admitted Tuesday that was just to see how Weeden would react to being pushed by Jason Campbell. And by all accounts Weeden passed the test with flying colors. Through two preseason games, he's 18-of-25 (72.0 percent) for 229 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Operating Chud's vertical passing scheme flawlessly, there's plenty of QB2 appeal in Weeden. This Browns' offense is going to be significantly improved.

Brandon Weeden went 8-of-12 for 117 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in Thursday's preseason game against the Lions.

Weeden has taken to the new regime's scheme like a fish to water. Through two preseason games, he's 18-of-25 for 229 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Some of that can be attributed to Rob Chudzinski's vertical offense, but more of it looks like Weeden's improved pocket presence. There's some sneaky QB2 appeal here.

Coach Rob Chudzinski says the Browns' quarterback competition is "still close."

In other news, the Browns apparently have a quarterback competition. According to the Akron Beacon-Journal, Brandon Weeden has taken every first-team rep in camp. Chud is just paying absurd lip service to Jason Campbell and Brian Hoyer's "chances" of winning the starting job. There is no competition.

Ten of Brandon Weeden's 13 passes in Thursday night's preseason opener came in the shotgun formation.

Browns OC Norv Turner is increasing Weeden's comfort by returning him to his Oklahoma State shotgun-spread roots. Weeden was fantastic, completing 10-of-13 throws for 112 yards (8.62 YPA) and a touchdown against the Rams. Weeden has taken every first-team rep at Browns camp and is locked in as the starter. He's got sneaky QB2 potential under QB gurus Turner and Rob Chudzinski.