Browns Will Start Couch Against Bengals

Tim Couch, demoted to a backup role after four seasons as Cleveland’s No. 1 quarterback, will start Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, replacing the injured Kelly Holcomb.

“I feel good about it,” Couch said. “You always want to play. I hate that it came with Kelly getting injured, you never want to see that. But I’ve got to take advantage of my opportunity, go in and play well and try and get a win.”

Couch didn’t learn he would make his 2003 debut until before practice Thursday at Berea, Ohio.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “I’m looking forward to a chance to get back out there and play again. Hopefully, everything goes well and we get a victory.”

Holcomb, who broke his right fibula during the first quarter of last Sunday’s victory at San Francisco, also sprained his left ankle in the third quarter but refused to come out and rallied the Browns to a 13-12 win by throwing two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter.

If he’s healthy enough, Holcomb could serve as Couch’s backup, Coach Butch Davis said, or perhaps dress as the third-stringer.

The Browns are currently carrying only two quarterbacks on their 53-man roster.

Rookie Nate Hybl is on the practice squad and could be signed in time for Sunday’s game.

*

Wide receiver David Boston was suspended without pay for one game by the San Diego Chargers for behavior Coach Marty Schottenheimer called unacceptable.

Boston, who signed a $47 million contract in March, sat out the second game of the season because of a bruised heel. Now he will sit out Sunday’s game in Oakland.

*

Mark Brunell sat out his second consecutive day of practice, making it more likely rookie Byron Leftwich will get his first NFL start Sunday when the Jacksonville Jaguars travel to Houston.

Leftwich took the majority of snaps in practice. David Garrard took the remainder.

Brunell fell on the tip of his elbow in the first quarter of last Sunday’s loss at Indianapolis, and the bone broke through the skin. He required five stitches after the game and has not practiced since.

*

Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper could be upgraded from doubtful to questionable for Sunday’s game against San Francisco.

Culpepper, who has not practiced this week, cracked three bones in his back when he ran for a touchdown last Sunday at Detroit.

Coach Mike Tice planned to let Culpepper practice today before deciding whether to allow him to face San Francisco’s quick pass rush.

The 49ers lead the league with 13 sacks this season. If Culpepper doesn’t play, Gus Frerotte will start, and Shaun Hill will be his backup.

*

The Buffalo Bills hope running back Travis Henry will be able to play Sunday against Philadelphia even though he sat out his second straight day of practice. He’s listed as questionable because of torn rib cartilage suffered during last Sunday’s 17-7 loss at Miami.