The upcoming game for the Cleveland Browns is against the AFC South Division leader Jacksonville Jaguars. Needless to say, the Jags are a good football team.
More than likely, Jacksonville will be without their starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence, and possibly his backup C.J. Beathard. Both signal callers are going to be a game-time decision. Lawrence suffered a high-ankle sprain in their loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football but was back at practice today. Normally, an injury such as Lawrence’s takes at least three weeks to become productive, and even longer to properly heal.
The matchup is slated to become an epic battle between two teams that have realistic playoff aspirations. Currently, Jacksonville has the #4 seed while Cleveland is in the #6 slot.
But the Browns have had several of their weapons hurt lately with huge questions as to whether they would be available against the Jaguars.
WR Amari Cooper, the team’s second-leading receiver, went into concussion protocol last week against the Los Angeles Rams with a head injury in the second quarter and did not return. He was then placed in concussion protocol. Usually, this takes about 10 days to be cleared. This meant he probably would not be available this Sunday.
TE David Njoku had issues of his own. Although he is a tight end, he has the team’s most receptions. He had a slight knee injury and was rested all week. He practiced with his knee in a brace and was only a partial participant.
Neither Cooper nor Njoku had practiced all week.
While Cooper remains in protocol, his ability to practice and perform individual drills allows him to play Sunday. He will continue to be monitored for these next few days but would be a huge boost if he is indeed cleared to compete against the Jags. He remains listed as questionable.
The quarterback situation remains up in the air as to whether veteran Joe Flacco will start or if the reins will be handed back to rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Regardless of who starts, each QB will need their full complement of receiving threats against a good Jacksonville club.
Thompson-Robinson was in the protocol for ten days following the Denver Broncos game and was cleared on Friday.
So far this season, Cooper has 91 targets, 50 receptions, 799 yards, two touchdowns, 34 conversions for first downs, and a single fumble. Njoku has 84 targets, 53 receptions, 509 yards, two touchdowns, 23 first-down conversions, and one fumble.
It should be noted that Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is 9-1 against NFL clubs that use a cat logo. He is 1-0 against Jacksonville, the Detroit Lions, and the Carolina Panthers, and 6-1 against division foe Cincinnati.
