Week 13 performance against the Los Angeles Rams was at least somewhat encouraging for the Cleveland Browns‘ playoff hopes, but the team just keeps receiving bad injury news during a tumultuous campaign.
Whether it’s Denzel Ward’s shoulder, the quarterback situation or the pass-catching corps, injuries are running rampant among the AFC North hopefuls. And as Week 14 progresses toward the Browns’ crucial clash with the similarly injury-laden Jacksonville Jaguars, unfortunate updates are superseding positive ones.
Amari Cooper received five targets from Flacco in the 36-19 loss to the Rams, hauling in three of them for 34 yards. That brought his season-long tally to 50 catches for 799 yards and a pair of scores in 12 appearances.
But Cooper, who suited up in all 17 regular-season contests last year, now has to worry about his record of perfect attendance. He exited the December 3 game in the second quarter with a concussion after attempting to bring in a throw from Flacco.
Listed with both a concussion and a ribs-related injury, Cooper sat out of practice for the second consecutive day on December 7. His status for the Jacksonville game was not specified on the injury report.
Tight end David Njoku presumably has a better chance of lining up against the Jaguars, but he missed a second consecutive day of practice on December 7. He was listed for non-injury-related rest for his knee.
Losing either pass-catching option would be tough for a limited Browns offense. Both watching from the sidelines could be disastrous, even with Elijah Moore playing better recently and Marquise Goodwin limited in practice as he attempts to return from the concussion protocol
Thompson-Robinson, who hasn’t played since November 29, was limited in practice, and the Browns seem determined to at least involve him in some capacity
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt indicated that the team might prepare some package of plays that would let his mobility complement the statuesque, pocket-based passing style of Flacco
Leave a Reply