Cleveland, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns continue the preseason with a Saturday afternoon meeting with the Colts in Indianapolis.
What to watch for – After spending two days practicing with the Colts in Westfield, Indiana it is unlikely that Freddie Kitchens will extend his starters’ work deep into the first half.
Baker Mayfield played just one series against Washington that saw him complete five of six passes for 77 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown to Rashard Higgins, last week. Mayfield should play three or four offensive series should Kitchens stick with the traditional preseason rotation most coaches use.
Odell Beckham Jr., limited in practice this week due to a minor hip injury, may not see his first preseason work but Jarvis Landry should. With Antonio Callaway out due to a high ankle sprain and suspended for the first four games of the upcoming season, opportunity knocks for receivers down the depth chart – Ishmael Hyman (4 catches for 39 yards), D.J. Montgomery (2 catches for 47 yards and a TD) and Jaelen Strong (2 catches for 27 yards) should get plenty of work against the Colts.
Saturday afternoon should mark the debut of running back Kareem Hunt, who had been sidelined earlier in camp. Hunt, signed in February, returned to the field on Aug. 3 from a groin injury. He should get plenty of work, especially with No. 2 back Dontrell Hilliard down with a hamstring injury suffered this week
Eric Kush remains the leader in the right guard competition, but he has a new competitor – Drew Forbes, who received some red zone drill reps at the position this week and it’s likely the coaching staff will want to see him get meaningful work there against the Colts. Austin Corbett who played 67 snaps against Washington as the backup center, appears to be in the running for a reserve role.
Keep an eye on three rookie defenders – Greedy Williams, Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki. Williams bounced back after a miscommunication allowed Washington to score an easy touchdown last week with an interception. Wilson had a pair of interceptions, including a pick 6, and Takitaki registered three tackles. The trio figure to play critical roles defensively this upcoming season and the more they progress the sooner they could find themselves in the starting lineup.
Saturday is another important day in the evaluation of Greg Joseph and Austin Seibert. Joseph missed an extra point last week while Seibert has begun making pressure kicks more consistently in practice.
Does Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi have an encore in him? Sheehy-Guiseppi, who caught a pair of passes for 12 yards, electrified his teammates following an 86-yard punt return for a touchdown against Washington but if he’s to have any realistic chance he’ll need more explosive plays in the return game when the opportunity presents itself.
Last week – Browns beat Washington 30-10, Colts lost to Bills 24-16
Last Time – (Preseason) Aug. 24, 2013: Colts 27, Browns 6
Series – Colts lead preseason series 7-4
Rankings – Points scored: Browns 20 (22.4), Colts 5 (27.1)
Yards: Browns 13 (368.8), Colts 7 (387.2)
Rushing: Browns 14 (118.3), Colts 20 (107.4)
Passing: Browns 13 (266.3), Colts 6 (278.8)
Points allowed: Browns 12 (24.5), Colts 23 (21.5)
Yards allowed: Browns 3 (393.0), Colts 22 (339.4)
Rushing yards allowed: Browns 5 (135.2), Colts 25 (101.6)
Passing yards allowed: Browns 8 (257.8), Colts 17 (237.8)
Turnover ratio: Browns 8t (+7), Colts 13t (+2)
Note: based on 2018 results
Probable Starters – Offense: WR Jarvis Landry, TE David Njoku, LT Greg Robinson, LG Joel Bitonio, C JC Tretter, RG Eric Kush, RT Chris Hubbard, QB Baker Mayfield, WR Rashard Higgins, WR RB Nick Chubb
Defense: DE Myles Garrett, DT Larry Ogunjobi, DT Sheldon Richardson, DE Olivier Vernon, WILL Christian Kirksey, MIKE Joe Schobert, CB Terrance Mitchell, CB Denzel Ward, FS Damarious Randall, S Jermaine Whitehead, SS Morgan Burnett
Note: based on player availability
Injury report – S Justin Burris (hamstring), RB Dontrell Hilliard (hamstring), DL Devaroe Lawrence (knee), WR Antonio Callaway (ankle), CB Tavierre Thomas (hamstring), CB TJ Carrie (hamstring), LB Sione Takitaki (hamstring), DE Jarrell Owens (groin), TE David Njoku (knee), DE Chad Thomas (neck), OL Kyle Kalis (concussion), TE Seth DeValve (concussion) and DT Brian Price (concussion)
Broadcast – Radio: 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX and the University Hospitals Cleveland Browns radio network. TV: WEWS TV-5
Kickoff – 4:00 p.m. – Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana
Our prediction – N/A for the preseason
