Hue Jackson was seemingly in good spirits on Monday for his weekly news conference with reporters. The Browns fell to 0-6 after a narrow loss to the Titans, but the first-year head coach is encouraged by what he sees inside the locker room.
"I'm more determined – I say that every week – than ever before and it's really because of our players. They come in with the right attitude, with the right mindset. We have a good group of veteran leadership and players who understand what we are trying to do and how hard it is," Jackson said. [
](http://bit.ly/TUFbrowns2016)"At the same time, I think they have enjoyed the process that we have gone through trying to get there. We know it's coming. When it's coming is the part that is hard for all because we don't know, but we know that it'll get there."
Pryor dealing with hamstring injury
— Jackson said defensive back Jordan Poyer remains in a Nashville area hospital for observation after suffering a lacerated kidney against the Titans.
"I hope he'll be released here soon so he can get back with his teammates. I know he wants to be back with his teammates battling with those guys," Jackson said. "Like most of our players do, I feel like when they are not around these guys like they are letting them down. He's not. He took a major hit, and obviously, that's going to take some time for him to heal from."
— Following a nine-catch, 75-yard, two-touchdown performance, wide receiver Terrelle Pryor is dealing with a hamstring injury. "We'll see how he goes through the week," Jackson said. "Hopefully, that's not a big issue, but we will work on that."
— Jackson said rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman (hand) still hasn't been cleared to practice and that veteran quarterback Josh McCown (shoulder/collarbone) hasn't been cleared to play in a game yet. McCown, who started against the Ravens in place of injured Robert Griffin III, returned to practice last week and will continue to work out to get to where "he needs to be."
— Jackson said the Browns expect to return defensive lineman Xavier Cooper (shoulder) and tight end Randall Telfer (ankle) to practice with the aim of playing both in Cincinnati.
Poyer in good spirits
After a scary moment Sunday, Jackson said he's been texting with Poyer and described him as being in good spirits.
"He was playing good, too. He had, probably in my opinion, one of his best weeks in practice, and I think he was looking to have a tremendous game," Jackson said. "That's a blow for us because he is one of our better players, but we want to wish him well and a speedy recovery."
Poyer, who has started all six games at safety, left after a crushing blindside block during a punt return midway through the second quarter.
Jackson added the Browns are unsure if Poyer will be able to return this season.
"I don't know that. Obviously, a kidney is a serious thing," he said. "I hope we can, but if we don't, I do understand that, too, because that is something that is very serious."
Kessler 'continues to impress with his courage'
Cody Kessler put together arguably his best performance on Sunday after a week of trials both on and off the field.
"He's growing week to week. One week, he is staying in the pocket to make plays. Yesterday, he was making plays outside the pocket. He made some huge plays outside the pocket," Jackson said. "He continues to impress with his courage. He stands in there. He gets walloped a few times. He gets back up. He stands up and on he goes."
Indeed, Kessler passed for 336 yards and two touchdowns and showed poise amid six sacks and 11 hurries by the Titans defense.
"That's pro football. Nobody likes their quarterback getting hit that much. I know I don't. It is something we have to get better at still, but to watch our quarterback play under duress and still make plays, that is part of playing in the National Football League," Jackson said.
"There are some third down things we can do better and need to do better, but I think he's growing week by week, moment by moment, play by play so he has to continue to do that."
Re-establishing the run game
After back-to-back weeks of watching their powerful run game struggle, Jackson was adamant the Browns need to get back on track against Cincinnati.
"We have to get our run game reestablished somehow, someway," he said.
After leading the league in rushing with almost 150 yards a game, the Browns totaled 40 yards against the Titans Sunday and 27 yards the previous week against New England.
"It has been off track the last two weeks and the teams that have played us have done a decent job," Jackson said. "We're stumbling a little bit in that area. As I said after the game, that is an area that I have to get fixed, and I will. I'm confident in that."
