Here's a switch: The Cleveland Browns dropped Derek Anderson.

The inconsistent Pro Bowl quarterback, whose production this season has been slowed by dropped passes, was benched yesterday by the Browns (3-5), who will start popular backup Brady Quinn on Thursday against the Denver Broncos in hopes of turning around a disappointing season.

The surprising and unexpected swap was announced yesterday by the team, just hours after coach Romeo Crennel said he had no plans to make a change.

On Sunday, Anderson threw a costly interception that was returned for a touchdown in the final minutes of a 37-27 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The pick prompted Browns fans to begin chants of "Brady! Brady!" for Quinn, the former Notre Dame star who has thrown just eight passes in two seasons.

Anderson had gone 132 pass attempts without an interception before he was picked off by Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, who stepped in front of a screen pass and ran it back 42 yards for a TD.

During his news conference yesterday, Crennel was asked if he was considering a change at quarterback.

"No, I haven't really," he said. "I haven't had a chance to talk to the coaches or anything. With a short week, I told them to go ahead and get started on Denver. They haven't even looked at this game yet."

Crennel was then asked if Anderson was still his starter.

"Yes," he said, "as of right now."

ELSEWHERE

Texans: Houston quarterback Matt Schaub injured his knee and will be out at least two weeks, possibly up to a month. Schaub injured his medial collateral ligament when he was hit in the left knee in the second quarter of Houston's loss to Minnesota on Sunday. He was limping after the hit, but finished the second quarter before being replaced by Sage Rosenfels after halftime.

Bills: Safety Donte Whitner is out indefinitely with a separated right shoulder, leaving Buffalo without its vocal leader and most versatile defensive back. Whitner was hurt during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets.

Broncos: Denver's backfield took two big hits when Michael Pittman (neck) and Andre Hall (left hand) were placed on injured reserve. Both were injured in Denver's 26-17 loss to Miami on Sunday.

Vikings: Minnesota could be without defensive end Jared Allen for this weekend's game against Green Bay. Allen suffered a sprained right shoulder Sunday against Houston.