Editor's note: Tony Grossi covers the Cleveland Browns for ESPN 850 WKNR.

MIAMI GARDENS, FL

Four Downs on Cleveland Browns v. Miami Dolphins

First down: Ready for the Cody Kessler era?

The plan never was for the third-round rookie from USC to actually play this year. He was taking fourth-string reps in training camp as Hue Jackson focused on resurrecting Robert Griffin’s career. But all that is out the window now. Circumstances have cast Kessler in the unlikely roles of rescuer and redeemer. He can stem an outlandish franchise streak of five starting quarterbacks in five consecutive games dating to last season – Johnny Manziel (2015 Game 15), Austin Davis (2015 Game 16), Griffin (2016 Game 1), Josh McCown (2016 Game 2) and Kessler (2016 Game 3). More importantly, with a solid performance Kessler can help to redeem Jackson’s sagging reputation as a quarterback whisperer. Three other rookie QBs already have registered wins in this young NFL season – Carson Wentz is 2-0, Dak Prescott is 1-1, and Jacoby Brissett is 1-0. When fans and media gasped after Jackson tabbed Kessler in the third round in April, Jackson defended the pick by saying, “Trust me on this one.” Will those words be his Browns coaching epitaph or the inscription on his statue outside FirstEnergy Stadium when Kessler is collecting Pro Bowls? “Here we go. Trust me. Here we come. We’ll see what that statement is all about,” Jackson said unflinchingly.

2. Second down: Hooray for Hollywood.

The first time Kessler stepped on the field in a preseason game, he coolly tossed a back-shoulder fade to fellow rookie Rashard Higgins in the end zone in Lambeau Field for a touchdown against the Packers. It traveled only 10 yards but the pass and catch were impressive because both rookies actually looked like they knew what they were doing. In fact, Kessler and Higgins developed some chemistry together during training camp while assigned near the back of their respective position groups. Higgins, who acquired the nickname Hollywood in youth football before he departed Colorado State as the school’s all-time receptions leader, may be “next man up” after top pick Corey Coleman suffered a broken right hand in practice on Wednesday. Coleman, who had a breakout 2-TD game last week, will be lost 4-6 weeks. Initial plans are for No. 3 receiver Andrew Hawkins to climb into Coleman’s starter’s role. But when the Browns field three receivers, Higgins figures to get some reps along with fellow rookie Ricardo Louis.

Third down: Putting the toothpaste back in the tube.

Now that Terrelle Pryor has achieved the status of legitimate NFL receiver, he may graduate to next-level usage as a multi-faceted offensive threat. It wouldn’t be a shock to see Pryor’s innate skills as a quarterback be utilized in Wildcat formations and on razzle-dazzle reverses. These high-risk plays would serve at least two purposes – lessening the burden on Kessler’s pop-gun arm to produce chunk plays and also keeping the Dolphins’ nasty defensive line huffing and puffing in the south Florida steam bath. A week ago, Pryor wasn’t too keen on the idea of returning to quarterback on selective plays. This week, he said he’d do anything called on to win – including cutting off a finger. At the rate the Browns are suffering injuries, we can only hope Pryor was exaggerating to make a point.

Fourth down: A pass rusher named Suh.

It seems like weeks ago that Browns center Cam Erving was being strapped to a board and rushed out of the locker room via ambulance. Actually, it was last Sunday that Erving was transported to a hospital after the game and diagnosed with a bruised lung. All the other injuries – McCown’s broken left collarbone, end Carl Nassib’s broken left hand, Coleman’s broken right hand, and kicker Patrick Murray’s re-injured left knee – kind of obscured the fact that the Browns will play today with veteran guard John Greco cast as the emergency center. Greco has made exactly one start at the position in nine NFL seasons. Yet there was a palpable sense of calmness in the locker room during the week that the offense might be in better hands with Greco, rather than the young Erving, at center. The move does force Alvin Bailey to come off the bench and play right guard, where he will oppose, from time to time, Miami’s nasty defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. The other starting tackle, Jordan Phillips, is no slouch, either, which adds to a formidable test for the interior offensive line of Joel Bitonio, Greco and Bailey.

Prediction: Dolphins, 24-7.

Record: 2-0.