BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns will be without cornerback Greg Newsome II for a second straight week, but Hjalte Froholdt returned Friday and will start at center Sunday.
Newsome remains in the concussion protocol and was ruled out for Sunday’s game against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.
“It is unfortunate,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “As you know, all injuries are different. Concussions, you have to make sure that you are following every protocol so we will continue to do that. Disappointed for Greg missing this one. He has to just continue to take care of himself, and he will be ready when he is ready.”
Cornerbacks A.J. Green and Martin Emerson Jr. will be called upon to step up in his place.
“He continues to get better,” Stefanski said of Emerson. “I really like the kid’s mentality. He is a hard-nosed kid, plays physical and is not afraid of those one-on-one matchups, which you often get as a rookie in this league. You are going to get some balls thrown at you. Quarterbacks and offenses, they are looking for rookies. He does not back down. I think he has been real impressive. I do think there is a growth to his game that I have seen over the course of this season.”
Froholdt was pressed into service last week in Detroit when center Ethan Pocic suffered a knee injury on the first offensive snap but played an additional snap before leaving the game.
“Yeah, that's kind of the role of a backup and swing guy, especially on the offensive line,” Froholdt said. “You've got your unit out there and you hope no one gets hurt ever. But you know, bad situations happen and you know, that backup guy's got to come in and step up whenever his name is called. So I'm glad for the opportunities I've had so far and I definitely think that's helped.”
Pocic was placed on injured reserve this week and the Browns signed center Greg Mancz as insurance.
Froholdt missed practice Wednesday and Thursday due to an illness but got enough work in Friday.
“It was good getting back in today, getting the calls down and kind of getting back into a rhythm with the guys around me,” Froholdt said.
Show ‘em how it’s done – There aren’t enough superlatives to describe backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett’s professionalism and leadership, but hopefully it has rubbed off within the locker room.
“I think the No. 1 thing that his teammates have seen about him is the way he prepares,” Stefanski said. “He puts a lot into this game. He is on the field early. He is staying on the field late. He is in this building very early. He is staying here very late. Just constantly working with your teammates. Sending them text messages of videos of routes and ‘here is how I would like you to run this. Are we on the same page?’ I think so much of that goes unnoticed to the general public, if you will, but not unnoticed to his teammates.
“When you have young players who you are bringing along in this league, when you have veterans who can show them the way, it is just so much more impactful than a coach. I just think when it is peer led, I think it really has a major impact.”
Receiver Amri Cooper isn’t nearly as surprised as many others outside the building might be at how well Brissett has played this year in Deshaun Watson’s absence.
“I think he’s shown a lot,” Cooper said. “Just preparing with him each and every game, I can see why he’s done some of the things that he’s done in this league, as far as the communication that we’ve been able to have and establish throughout the week, preparation that leads up to the game and he’s invested in having it show up on gameday.”
Cooper, who has 50 catches for 698 yards and seven touchdowns, credits Brissett’s constant communication throughout the week for their ability to connect and produce.
“Most of the balls that I catch we’ve talked about, practice them so much [in] walkthroughs, practice every day,” Cooper said.
Model of consistency – Receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones has the inside track on the most improved player award for the Browns this season.
The 2020 sixth-round pick out of Michigan looks for his eighth consecutive game this weekend of at least 50 yards receiving. He has 40 catches for 577 yards and a score, which ranks second behind Amari Cooper but his 14.4 yards per catch average is tops on the team, this season.
“Donovan is a player who continues to get better,” Stefanski said. “His body has changed. He has worked hard on his body, nutrition and all of that. Just his game has continued to get better. Just little things from stance to coming off the ball. He has always been assignment sound and always has strong hands, but you do see growth in his game.”
Teller ready – Right guard Wyatt Teller continues to battle through a calf strain, but he will be back out there Sunday after being limited Wednesday and Friday and taking Thursday off.
“Hoping that he is looking like himself and ready to go,” Stefanski said.
Ward limited – Cornerback Denzel Ward was limited Friday after suffering a groin injury during practice but he was not given an injury designation for the game.
Ward will be needed with Tampa Bay’s trio of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Julio Jones coming at them.
“Their receivers are all so different,” Stefanski said. “They are all very, very talented but different talents, and they are versatile. Mike Evans is just so physical, able to get to every ball and has a rare combination of size and speed. His speed does show up even with being a big player. Just an impressive group in total. Godwin is really, really tough. Catches it over the middle, very good on wide receiver screens, gets his hands on it and gets north and south immediately. Julio, everybody knows how talented he is. It is a good group, and obviously, they have a very good trigger man getting to the ball.”
Injury report – OUT: Greg Newsome II (concussion); EXPECTED TO PLAY: CB Denzel Ward (groin), S David Bell (concussion), C Hjalte Froholdt (illness), S Ronnie Harrison (illness), TE David Njoku (ankle/knee), LG Joel Bitonio (illness/rest), DE Jadeveon Clowney (rest), DE Myles garrett (rest),WR Amari Cooper (rest), RG Wyatt Teller (calf), DT Perrion Winfrey (concussion), LT Jedrick Wills (knee), RT Jack Conklin (foot)
Up next – Walk through Saturday; vs. Buccaneers Sunday.