Rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer will start Cleveland's preseason game Saturday at Tampa Bay.
Browns coach Hue Jackson released the following statement Wednesday on the decision.
"This morning, I informed our quarterbacks that DeShone will be our starter for the third preseason game against Tampa. He has made a lot of progress by investing the time necessary to learn our offense, working hard to improve on his fundamentals while also effectively moving the offense in preseason games. Development is so important for a young quarterback, this is the next step he needs to take and he deserves this opportunity. We are very excited about seeing DeShone in the role of starter for this week, as he is certainly positioning himself well to earn the starting job heading into the regular season.
"Much like DeShone, Brock, Cody and Kevin have worked extremely hard throughout training camp and have helped create a very supportive environment in our quarterback room. They've pushed each other, worked well together and we expect that to continue."
In two preseason games, Kizer, a second-round pick out of Notre Dame, has completed 19-of-31 passes for 258 yards and a touchdown. He's also rushed for 47 yards and a touchdown. During his time on the field, Cleveland's offense has scored 24 points.
Kizer worked with the third-team offense in Cleveland's preseason opener and was first off the bench behind Brock Osweiler in Monday's win over the Giants.
