The most significant damage is to the receiving corps that saw the Browns left with just three active wideouts Sunday afternoon after Rod Streater was forced from the game early in the first quarter.
Streater will miss the remainder of the season after being diagnosed with a neck fracture on Monday. Surgery for Streater is not required at this time according to the team.
Streater suffered the injury with just under 13 minutes remaining in the opening quarter on the punt coverage team when he attempted to tackle Chargers returner Desmond King. His head collided with Denzel Rice as he was falling to the ground after missing the tackle of King, who had a 32-yard return on the play.
Derrick Willies, who was placed on injured reserve Saturday after suffering a broken collarbone during practice last Friday, underwent successful surgery to repair the break. He remains on track to be designated to return from IR according to the team.
It does not sound like Rashard Higgins will be available this week at Tampa Bay either. Higgins suffered an MCL sprain in the 12-9 overtime win against the Baltimore Ravens Oct. 7.
On Saturday the Browns signed free agent Breshad Perriman, a 2015 first-round pick by the Ravens that Baltimore released this year and general manager John Dorsey is exploring other avenues to shore up the position group.
“We'd like to have more, if we can get it, and it's the right fit for our football team,” Jackson said. “I'm sure John is looking. At the same time, as the head coach, I can't worry about those things.”
The Browns and Perriman are hopeful he’ll get up to speed this week so he can be available against the Buccaneers.
“Hopefully. That’s what I would like, but I don’t know what they’re thinking,” Perriman said Monday. “I’m just going to go out and do my part, just try to get this playbook down, and hopefully, it comes to me this Sunday and I’ll be ready.”
Perriman has 43 career receptions on 101 targets for 576 yards with three touchdowns in 27 games on his resume, but the knock on him has been his inability to consistently catch the football.
“You know, every receiver is going to drop some passes,” Perriman said. “It’s part of the game, so I don’t really too much listen to things like that. Of course, you want to limit your drops, but for the most part, I’m a receiver. It’s going to happen, and I’m also going to make plays as well.”
As of Monday afternoon, the Browns enter this week with Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway, Damion Ratley and Perriman at receiver.
His backup, James Burgess, is also “week to week” with a hamstring injury that he also suffered against the Chargers.
There’s a chance Christian Kirksey could be moved inside to replace Schobert meaning rookie Genard Avery could see an increase in playing time.
Tretter, who suffered the ankle injury against the Chargers, played hurt Sunday and Jackson is hopeful he’ll be available against the Buccaneers.