Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden gave a simple answer when asked what he learned standing on the sideline watching Brian Hoyer lead the team to a Week 3 victory.
"Don't get hurt," Weeden said, per The Plain Dealer. "I don't know how else to put it. Injuries suck. They happen. Things happen for a reason and we'll see how it plays out."
Weeden has been ruled out for this week's Cincinnati Bengals game with his sprained thumb, giving Hoyer the third start of his career, second with the Browns. Weeden admitted he's not guaranteed to get his job back when he is healthy.
"You know, at this point where we're at, that's out of my control," he said. "My focus is making sure this thumb continues to make the steps that allow me to get back and be 100 percent."
Hoyer will face a Bengals defense that could be missing three defensive backs, including starters Leon Hall and Reggie Nelson. Having wide receiver Josh Gordon in the lineup for the first time last week and again against the thin secondary should pay huge dividends for Hoyer.
Weeden sounded downright wistful discussing how Gordon's return aided Hoyer.
"You're over there and it's nice seeing Josh out there, first of all," Weeden said. "It's nice having him as an offensive weapon. He's just a huge asset for this offense and the passing game, so, yeah, it's nice being out there with 12."
NFL coaches often talk about the next man stepping up when an injury occurs. Sometimes those men never step back down. Weeden could follow the likes of Alex Smith -- quarterbacks who lost their job because of an untimely injury.
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