By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Former UK star Tim Couch will make his first start of the season on Sunday against the Bengals.

Couch will replace starting quarterback Kelly Holcomb in the lineup, coach Butch Davis said this afternoon.

Holcomb has a broken bone in his lower right leg. Holcomb, who beat out Couch in training camp, suffered a hairline fracture of his right fibula during the first quarter of last Sunday's win at San Francisco.

Couch was the first overall pick of the 1999 draft. He has started six previous games against the Bengals, winning three. He has 1,287 yards passing against the Bengals with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said he wasn't worried which quarterback started for the Browns.

"I don't think they'll be a lot different offensively with Tim or Kelly Holcomb," Lewis said Wednesday. "They don't have as much movement with Kelly Holcomb in the game, but right now let's take care of the Cincinnati Bengals.

"I'm not a big believer ever in who plays quarterback on the other team. You attack the offense. You attack the protection. You attack the running game and let the other things take care of themselves."

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com