CLEVELAND (AP) – Fred Jackson scored on a 1-yard TD plunge and Dan Carpenter kicked a 52-yard field goal in the first quarter as the Buffalo Bills took a 10-0 lead Thursday night over the Cleveland Browns, who lost starting quarterback Brian Hoyer to a right knee injury.
With the Browns trailing 7-0, Hoyer took off on an 11-yard run and was sliding when he was hit from the side by rookie linebacker Kiko Alonso.
Both of Hoyer’s knees were bent awkwardly on the hit in front of Cleveland’s bench, which was yelling for a penalty to be called on Alonso. Hoyer stayed on the ground for several moments before he was assisted to a trainer’s table. After he was examined, Hoyer limped unassisted to the locker room for tests and treatment.
The Browns confirmed Hoyer injured his right knee, but did not update his playing status.
He was replaced by Brandon Weeden, who started Cleveland’s first two games before spraining his right thumb in Week 2. Weeden was cleared to play this week, but coach Rob Chudzinski chose to stick with Hoyer, who won his first two starts.
A lifelong Browns fan, Hoyer was attempting to become the first quarterback in team history to win his first three starts. Hoyer’s first pass was dropped by wide receiver Josh Gordon, who may have been able to break it for a long gain.
The Bills needed just three plays to take a 7-0 lead on Jackson’s short run.
After a 25-yard punt return by Jim Leonhard put the ball at Cleveland’s 32, the Bills tried a trick play with wide receiver T.J. Graham attempting a long pass to Stevie Johnson. He was interfered with in the end zone by cornerback Joe Haden, giving Buffalo the ball at the 1. Jackson scored on the next play.
The Bills had both Jackson and running back C.J. Spiller after they missed practice time this week with injuries.
At halftime, the Browns will honor former star running back Jim Brown, one of the greatest Browns of them all.
Cleveland’s career leader in rushing yards and touchdowns, the Hall of Famer skipped a 2010 ring of ceremony because of a rift with former team president Mike Holmgren. However, Brown was welcomed back to the team by new owner Jimmy Haslam and hired in May as an adviser.
Brown said he’s touched by the tribute, which will acknowledge his contributions on and off the field.
“It’s great to be back,” he said before kickoff. “This is where I should be. I’m always going to be a Cleveland Brown. I love this city and I love these fans.”
The famed No. 32 is excited about the Browns’ fast start this season and believes the Browns could contend.
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