Browns' Jackson reiterates: Kizer's job is safe

Sep 18, 2017 - 10:23 PM BEREA, Ohio -- DeShone Kizer's job as the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback is safe despite losing the ball once on a strip-sack and throwing three interceptions in a 24-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

Kizer, a rookie second-round pick from Notre Dame, missed part of the first half because of a migraine headache. He returned to play most of second half and barring another health setback will start against the Colts next Sunday in Indianapolis.

"This is his second game in the National Football League," head coach Hue Jackson said Monday. "We just played the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. He didn't play as well yesterday, but the sky isn't falling down by any stretch of the imagination.

"This guy is everything I think he is. It's unfortunate that it happened the way it did yesterday, but I'm glad it happened now rather than later because this is where growth happens. It doesn't happen when you play pretty well."

Jackson waited until after the third preseason game to name Kizer the starter for the regular season. At the time, he said he would stick with the rookie through the good times and lean times. It is no consolation to Jackson or Kizer that the Ravens forced five turnovers in each of their first two games.

"He's not going to get rattled by this," Jackson said. "He'll go back to work with more resolve and understand that being on top of every little thing is so important - how important every throw is."

Kizer played better in the opener against the Steelers when he was 20 for 30 for 222 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked seven times and vowed not to hold the ball as long against the Ravens.

"Coach Jackson has been real good to me," Kizer said. "Everything is a blessing; the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have to do everything I can to learn what I need to do better."

Kizer said he has to learn to prepare in a short time. He said he had three weeks to study the Steelers, but only one week to get ready for the Ravens. Now he has the same time constraints to get ready for the Colts.

--Rashard Higgins caught six passes for 77 yards as a rookie wide receiver last year. He was waived in the cut to 53 on Sept. 2 and then signed to the Browns practice squad.

Higgins was elevated to the 53-man roster on Saturday and in one game exceeded his 2016 totals. He finished the 24-10 loss to the Ravens with seven catches for 95 yards.

"To me, when I got cut, I used it as motivation," Higgins said. "I told myself, 'I don't want to get cut anymore.' I worked my ass off to get back on the 53-man roster."

--Left tackle Joe Thomas reached 10,000 consecutive snaps for his career on the fourth offensive play of the game Sunday. He has never missed an offensive play since being drafted by the Browns in the first round in 2007.

"I don't think it will sink in during my career, but when it's all said and done, this is definitely something that I think I'll be able to be very proud of and be able to put my hat on and have that as a big accomplishment," Thomas said.

The Browns were 10-6 when Thomas was a rookie. They have had nine straight losing seasons.

--Wide receiver Corey Coleman suffered a broken right hand in the fourth quarter. He missed six games with a broken right hand last year.

"It's unfortunate, but those things happen," head coach Hue Jackson said Monday. "The guys work so hard getting ready for the season, but we know these things happen in football. We just have to have the next man up mentality and move forward."

Coleman missed six games with the broken hand last year.

NOTES: LB Jamie Collins is in the concussion protocol after being injured in the game with the Ravens on Sunday. ... WR Corey Coleman underwent surgery on Monday for a broken right hand suffered in the game with the Ravens. ... QB Kevin Hogan threw a touchdown pass to tight end David Njoku for the first touchdown pass of his career. ... LB James Burgess recorded his first career sack. ... DE Myles Garrett was still in a walking boot on Monday. He missed the first two games with a sprained right ankle.