Making his first NFL start, Browns QB Thad Lewis completed 22-of-32 passes for 204 yards, one touchdown, and one interception at Pittsburgh in Week 17. Although coach Pat Shurmur praised his former Rams pupil for the performance, Lewis managed to direct just one touchdown drive while setting up a 51-yard field goal. The former Duke star did show good mobility and better than expected accuracy, but didn't always sense the pass rush and had trouble sustaining drives. Unless the new coaching staff wants him back as a developmental QB, Lewis is a good bet to pop up wherever Shumur lands in 2013.

Thad Lewis will start Sunday's regular-season finale at Pittsburgh, as expected. Colt McCoy and Brandon Weeden are both inactive with shoulder injuries. Lewis has no regular-season stats since going undrafted out of Duke in 2010. He 9-of-17 for 146 yards and an interception last preseason and 23-of-32 passes (71.9%) for 266 yards (8.3 YPA) in 2011 exhibition action. The rest of the Browns inactives: TE Jordan Cameron, RB Trent Richardson, OL Jarrod Shaw, CB Sheldon Brown, and LB Adrian Moten.

Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot says to "pencil in" Thad Lewis as the quarterback in Week 17 versus Pittsburgh. Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy both missed practice for the third straight day on Friday with shoulder injuries. McCoy sounded like the one that was closer to being able to play, but the Browns are just going to skip to the fun of Lewis and back-up Josh Johnson handling the Sunday reps. With Trent Richardson (ankle) also expected to miss the game, the Pittsburgh D/ST is the strongest of strong Week 17 fantasy plays.

Browns waived QB Thad Lewis. The Browns needed the roster spot with CB Joe Haden returning from suspension. A favorite of head coach Pat Shurmur, Lewis has been inactive all five games in the developmental role. He was 9-of-17 for 146 yards and an interception in preseason action.

Browns coach Pat Shurmur indicated that the team will keep Thad Lewis as a developmental No. 3 quarterback this season. If the team does, in fact, decide to keep Lewis, it's a lock that one of Colt McCoy or Seneca Wallace won't be on the Week 1 roster. "There's something to Thad that I think is worth developing," said Shurmur, who also coached Lewis while the offensive coordinator in St. Louis in 2010.

Browns claimed QB Thaddeus Lewis off waivers from the Rams. Browns coach Pat Shurmur was the Rams' offensive coordinator last season, so he knows Lewis well. The former Duke star will be the No. 3 QB behind Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace in Cleveland.