Rookie McCoy to Make First Career Start Sunday

By Justin Worsley

Cleveland Browns fans may get an early look at the man who many are hoping will be the savior of their downtrodden franchise this Sunday.

Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy will make his first career start against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday after both first and second-string quarterbacks Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace failed to show any sign of improvement with their injuries this week in practice.

Delhomme and Wallace both have severe ankle sprains. Wallace took over for Delhomme after the 35-year-old left the season opener, a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Journeyman Brett Ratliff is also on the roster.

McCoy had a legendary career at the University of Texas, leaving college with the all-time wins record for a quarterback with a 45-8 record.

McCoy's best collegiate season came in 2008, when he completed 76.2-percent of his passes for 3,859 yards with 34 touchdowns and only eight interceptions.

During the preseason, McCoy, 24, showed fans his pinpoint accuracy was no fluke in college, completing 28 of his 39 passes, including a perfect 13-for-13 in the Browns preseason finale against the Chicago Bears.

Pittsburgh has the fourth-best defense in the NFL, but are 20th in pass defense. So far this season, opponents have averaged 226.8 passing yards per game.

Cleveland has not won at Heinz Field since the 2003 season.