CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – A total of seven players are listed as questionable by the Browns for Sunday’s season finale against the Bengals.
The biggest concern is availability in the secondary.
Cornerbacks Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams and Troy Hill along with safeties Ronnie Harrison Jr. and John Johnson III may or may not play. Running back Kareem Hunt and tight end David Njoku are questionable offensively.
“Some are close,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “They are not all exactly the same. We want to use the next couple of days to see where they get to before making a determination.”
All seven players were limited during Friday’s final practice of the season, which was held indoors due to cold and snow.
As for resting healthy players this weekend, it does not sound like Stefanski will just give them the season finale off.
“I would expect if guys can play, they will play,” Stefanski said.
Playing out the string – The Browns are playing for pride Sunday while the Bengals are trying to limit a COVID outbreak and stay healthy for a playoff run.
This week hasn’t been easy, but Stefanski has been pleased with his team’s approach leading up to the game.
“We have pros,” Stefanski said. “There is no doubt that there is disappointment and frustration based on where we are, but as pros, we know that we have a job to do. We know that we have a game on Sunday versus the division champs. We get to play in front of our home fans. Another opportunity to compete. I do think the guys understand that part of it.”
The Browns need to win to avoid a 16th double digit loss season since 1999 and they’re also trying to avoid a 16th last place finish within the division in the last 23 years as well.
Still salty – No one may be as disappointed with not making the playoffs than Pro Bowl defensive end Myles Garrett.
“I am not processing it well, but it is there,” Garrett said. “It is going to be frustrating for about probably a week or maybe two. Then I will probably go somewhere nice, warm and tropical, and then I will come back and get my ass back to work because I do not want to have it happen again.”
Despite coming up short this year, Garrett is keeping expectation the same for 2022.
“Take us to the Super Bowl,” Garrett said. “That is the one goal that means everything to me. Everything else can go by the wayside. Of course, individual honors are nice and something I can put up in my house and display for my family and for my kids one day, but that Super Bowl means everything, not only to me but to this team and to the city. That is who I play for and who we do it for.”
Nothing to see here – Amid reports of a disconnect between Stefanski and quarterback Baker Mayfield, Stefanski was asked to describe his relationship with the 2018 No. 1 pick.
“I would say it is no different. A good relationship,” Stefanski said.
Mayfield, who is scheduled for surgery to repair the torn labrum in his left shoulder, lobbed veiled criticism at Stefanski on multiple occasions following games this season.
Stefanski has given no indication – publicly – that there are problems with Mayfield, who failed to produce in big moments this season while playing injured.
Injury report – QUESTIONABLE: TE David Njoku (shoulder), CB Denzel Ward (groin), CB Greedy Williams (shoulder), S Ronnie Harrison Jr. (ankle), CB Troy Hill (knee), RB Kareem Hunt (knee), S John Johnson III (hamstring); EXPECTED TO PLAY: DE Jadeveon Clowney (shoulder/knee), DT Malik McDowell (neck), RB Nick Chubb (chest/ribs), LB Elijah Lee (shoulder), C JC Tretter (knee),; FULL: TE Austin Hooper (hand), Ifeadi Odenigbo (biceps)
Up next – Season finale Sunday afternoon at 1 against the Bengals.
