Berea, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Olivier Vernon will miss his third straight game with a knee injury.
Vernon did not practice again on Friday and he’ll be ruled out for Sunday’s game with Miami.
With Myles Garrett suspended indefinitely, Larry Ogunjobi for this week and Vernon still down, the Browns are shorthanded up front.
“I think one of the advantages to that group of guys is that they are versatile,” head coach Freddie Kitchens said.
Kitchens expects Chris Smith, Chad Tomas and Devaroe Lawrence to step in and step up against the Dolphins.
“I think those guys have worked all week and are playing together and doing their job, which enables the defense to play at a high level,” Kitchens said. “If we get that Sunday, it will be to our benefit. We have total confidence in those guys are going to step in and play well.
“We do not need them to just be out there. We need them to play well, and I have full confidence that they will do that.”
Vernon’s absence coupled with the suspension of defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi for Sunday’s game and Myles Garrett indefinitely for the remainder of the season means defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson will be the only starting defensive lineman on the field.
Richardson has been doing what he can to get everyone on the same page up front, but he admitted it hasn’t been smooth.
“It was decent. It was straight,” Richardson said of practice among the linemen this week. “You know, a few missed keys here and there, guys trying to do too much, thinking too much. I’m trying to slow the game down for ‘em. Not chris more so. But other than that, honestly, just little things like that, just making sure you’re getting the best out of the athletic ability, potential.”
The Browns are hopeful Vernon returns soon with the loss of Garrett for the rest of the year.
“When he was in there the last couple of weeks, you saw his progression,” defensive coordinator Steve Wilks said of Vernon. “He was playing well, making plays not only in the run game but also getting to the quarterback. Hopefully, he can be able to step back in and fill that void.”
Help on the way – The Browns elevated defensive tackle Brandin Bryant and defensive end Porter Gustin to the active roster from the practice squad Friday afternoon.
Bryant is officially in his first NFL season out Florida Atlantic and has spent time with Seattle (2016), the New York Jets (2017) and played in the CFL.
Gustin is in his rookie season out of Southern California and was originally signed by New Orleans as an undrafted free agent. Gustin was waived during final roster cuts and has spent the past two weeks on the Browns’ practice squad.
Chief check – Tight end David Njoku was a full participant in practice this week, but he will not play against the Dolphins.
“I think we want to see David another week and see what we get at the end of next week,” Kitchens said.
Njoku, who suffered a broken right wrist on Sept. 16 against the Jets, was designated to return from injured reserve on Monday.
Injury report – OUT: DE Olivier Vernon (knee), S Eric Murray (knee)
QUESTIONABLE: LB Joe Schobert (groin)
EXPECTED TO PLAY: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (groin), WR Jarvis Landry (hip), LG Joel Bitonio (groin), OT Kendall Lamm (knee)
