BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – One of the most important competitions could be settled Sunday night.
Do the Browns stick with kicker Chase McLaughlin, or do they cut him and sign another kicker once they hit the waiver wire next week when teams cut their rosters to 53?
Head coach Kevin Stefanski plans to help EVP/GM make that determination by trying to test McLaughlin Sunday night by playing for field goal situations against the Falcons in Atlanta.
“Honestly, we tried to do it last week and they had that sack called on [ Kyle] Lauletta where we were hoping to get a long field goal there,” Stefanski said. “There are going to be moments where we definitely want to get some opportunities for our field goal unit, not just the kicker. We want to get the guys being able to block and that type of thing.”
McLaughlin won the kicking competition by default after Cody Parkey suffered a quadriceps injury during pregame warmups last Sunday against the Giants.
Parkey was placed on IR and subsequently released by the Browns this week.
“Chase was really giving him a run for his money,” special teams coordinator Mike Priefer said Thursday. “I like Chase. I am confident in Chase. I do not make those final decisions, but this is a big week for him. We kicked yesterday. He did a great job. We will kick tomorrow and then we will kick Sunday.”
Ramping up – Odell Beckham Jr. took reps in team 11-on-11 for the second straight day. Beckham also got reps in 7-on-7 and caught a touchdown pass.
“With everything that we have been doing with Odell – we have talked about it – it is all a part of a process,” Stefanski said. “I am just listening to the medical staff on what he is ready to do. This is the normal ramp up period, if you will.”
Jersey swap – Several defensive players swapped jerseys for Friday’s practice.
Myles Garrett wore Curtis Weaver’s 59, Weaver Garrett’s 95. Ronnie Harrison and Anthony Walker also traded uniforms. Mack Wilson gave his 52 to a M.J. Stewart and wore Greedy Williams’ 26.
“The jumbling of the jerseys was to, I think to make life hard on you and me, so it worked,” Stefanski said. “That's a one-time only deal.”
Stefanski admitted he was confused at times as to who was wearing what.
“No, I didn't have the crossword puzzle in front of me,” Stefanski said.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Curtis Weaver (L) poses with defensive end Myles Garrett (R) after swapping jerseys for Friday's practice.Matt Starkey-Cleveland Browns
JOK out – Rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will not play Sunday night. He remains sidelined after suffering a laceration to his forehead in the weight room that required stitches and he can’t wear a helmet yet.
“It is unfortunate, but just make him wear a helmet in the weight room next time,” Stefanski said.
First Fields work – Linebacker Tony Fields II, sidelined to date with a foot injury, practiced for the first time Friday. He was limited to individual and position drills.
Smart move – Receiver Rashard Higgins and cornerback Troy Hill were hld out of practice Friday.
“Just being smart,” Stefanski said.
Higgins suffered a hamstring injury Thursday.
Up next – Preseason Game 3 at Falcons Sunday night.
