Panthers’ Jimmy Clausen cleared to play after concussion

Carolina quarterback Jimmy Clausen has been cleared to play after a concussion and will seek his first win as an NFL starter Sunday against Cleveland.

Clausen practiced for a third straight day Friday after missing last Sunday’s loss to Baltimore, and Coach John Fox says doctors have signed off on his return. Clausen, who was injured on the final offensive play Nov. 14 at Tampa Bay, was listed as probable.

“I think he had an outstanding week of preparation,” Fox said. “From my understanding, he had no side effects and we anticipate he’ll be good to go on Sunday.”

Even though Clausen is 0-4 as a starter, has completed only 48.6% of his passes and has one touchdown pass and four interceptions, the Panthers desperately needed him to return. There is nothing but uncertainty behind him with Matt Moore lost to a season-ending shoulder injury.

Brian St. Pierre, who started Sunday’s 37-13 loss to the Ravens 10 days after being signed off the street, has a sore throwing shoulder. He’s listed as probable after being limited in practice this week but hinted earlier in the week he wouldn’t be able to play.

Rookie Tony Pike is probable after being limited all week, also because of a sore throwing arm. Behind him is Keith Null, who was signed to the practice squad Tuesday. Fox said the backup would be a “game-time decision” and didn’t rule out promoting Null to the 53-man roster.

“It’s comforting to have a guy that can start the game,” Fox said. “I’m not sure about our depth situation going into this game. We’ll sort that out as we move forward.”

Delhomme will start for Browns

Jake Delhomme, who signed as a free agent with Cleveland to revive his career but has been slowed for nearly two months by a sprained ankle, will start Sunday as the Browns (3-7) host the Carolina Panthers (1-9), Delhomme’s ex-team.

Coach Eric Mangini took the unusual step of officially choosing Delhomme as his starter on Friday. Mangini typically waits until just before game time before revealing his starting QB in order to keep the opposition off-balance.

Delhomme began the season as Cleveland’s starter but was injured in the first half of the season opener at Tampa Bay. He came back too early and reinjured his ankle a few weeks later when Seneca Wallace suffered the same high ankle sprain.

Delhomme has been inactive for eight games, but he’s again first on Cleveland’s depth chart after rookie Colt McCoy rolled his ankle last week at Jacksonville and is out indefinitely.

Andrews still in hospital

New York Giants left tackle Shawn Andrews, who started the last three weeks as David Diehl recovers from a hip and hamstring injury, spent a second day in a hospital for treatment of a chronic back condition that cost him the entire workweek prior to the Eagles’ game last week. He is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against Jacksonville.

Giants’ Jacobs, Raiders’ Kelly are fined

New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs and Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly each have been fined $20,000 by the NFL.

Jacobs was fined for unsportsmanlike conduct toward fans before last Sunday’s loss at Philadelphia. It was his second such violation this year; he was fined $10,000 for throwing his helmet into the stands in Indianapolis during a defeat in Week 2.

Kelly was fined $20,000 for unnecessary roughness on a special-teams play when he unnecessarily struck a Pittsburgh Steelers player in the head area. He was docked $5,000 in 2008 for a late shove of an opponent in a loss to San Diego.