BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns won't know for a few more days whether rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden will play in Oakland.
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Weeden sustained a concussion in the closing minutes of Sunday's 20-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, just Cleveland's second against its biggest rival in 18 games. Weeden was falling following an incompletion when his head struck the leg of teammate Joe Thomas.
The 29-year-old left the field and received medical attention on the sideline before he was taken to the locker room. He was replaced for two series by backup Colt McCoy, who will start against the Raiders if Weeden isn't cleared.
Browns coach Pat Shurmur said Weeden was at the team's facility on Monday. He is being treated under the NFL's "strict concussion protocol" and his status for Sunday's game remains uncertain.
"We'll go through the process and we'll know way more on Wednesday," Shurmur said, who would not speculate if Weeden will face the Raiders. "I'm not making any predictions at this point."
Shurmur would not comment when asked if Weeden did any physical activity. Typically, players are prohibited from exercising on the first day after a concussion is diagnosed and encouraged to rest. It's not known if Weeden sustained a serious head injury. He didn't appear to take a hard hit, but that's not always a definitive indicator of an injury's severity.
The Browns are ultra-sensitive to head injuries and their treatment. Last season, the mishandling of McCoy's concussion against the Steelers prompted the league to make changes in its policies on concussion examinations. There is a now a certified athletic trainer at games to monitor play and provide medical staffs with information to assist their treatment of injured players.
Shurmur knew Weeden wanted to stay in the game and close out the win. Browns rookie running back Trent Richardson said trainers had to hide the QB's helmet so he couldn't re-enter.
"I don't think anybody wants to leave the game," Shurmur said. "Especially a game that's in the balance like that one was. So I think that's typical of what I see and feel from guys that are on the sideline. Of course, we know there's protocol. We're well aware of that, right?"
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press
