Due To Injuries Around NFL, Browns Schedule Went From Daunting To Doable
Injuries are one of the worst things that come with not just professional sports, but any sport for that matter. They are just something that you never want to see, no matter if they are on your favorite team or not.
Unfortunately, they are apart of the game and they happen every year. The only thing a team can do is adjust and adapt and find a way to win. When your team is dealing with injuries, nobody feels bad or is going to give you a pass. As always, it's next man up.
When it comes to the Cleveland Browns, it seemed like Sue Robinson and the NFL did them a favor (almost) by only suspending Deshaun Watson six games, all while front-loaading their schedule with "easy" games to start the season.
Times have changed, however, as Watson cannot play the first 11 games, leaving them with Jacoby Brissett. I said it before the season started that people would be very happy with Brissett and his abilities, and so far so good.
While their schedule at the beginning of the season looked like a brutal gauntlet, there have been some injuries around the league, making their schedule seem a lot less daunting.
First, Browns Must Get Healthy Themselves
While there may be injuires to many other players and teams across the league, the Browns are not fully healthy themselves.
Browns defensive ends Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney both did not practice in Fridays open-portion of practice, meaning it seems pretty unlikely either of them will be good to go against the Falcons come Sunday. There's a shot they still play, right now it just seems unlikely.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was a full-participant in practice as well as conerback Denzel Ward, so it looks like they should be ready to roll come Sunday.
Compared to the injuries across the league, the Browns still seem to be doing okay as they are dealing with injuries that are not as serious as others.
Injuries That Impact Browns Schedule
If the Browns can leave Atlanta with a win on Sunday and head into the thick of their schedule with a 3-1 record, the meat of their schedule is all the sudden not as bad as it once seemed. Here are some of their big-time opponents coming up and the injuries they are dealing with:
- vs. Chargers: Justin Herbert (ribs), Joey Bosa (IR), Rashawn Slater (IR)
J.C Jackson and Keenan Allen are both banged up as well, so who knows what their status will be down the road.
- vs. Patriots: Mac Jones (severe ankle sprain)
While it currently looks like Mac Jones won't go Sunday, as some originally thought he could miss a lot of time, he is back at practice hoping he can suit up for his team somehow.
- at Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa (back, head)
After a very, very scary injury last night, who knows when Tagovailoa will see the field again. The NFL needs to investigate deeply into how he was able to see the field last night after the monster hit he took last week against the Bils.
Every divisional opponent will always be a tough game, as there are not many injuries inside the division. The Ravens look very solid, and the Bengals are still yet to sell me even after winning their last two games.
If the Browns can stay relatively healthy down the stretch of these next eight games, their record when they hand the keys over to Watson has the potential to possibly be much better than we thought before the season started.
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