BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has been ruled out for Thursday night’s game against the Steelers.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski made the announcement Monday afternoon.
Clowney suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter of Sunday’s 31-30 loss to the jets in which he appeared to roll his ankle while rushing Jets quarterback joe Flacco.
Clowney, who had a strip-sack and fumble recovery against New York, limped off the field before going into the medical tent and then the locker room for evaluation.
Backup defensive end Chase Winovich and tight end Jesse James were also ruled out by Stefanski.
Winovich has a hamstring injury and James a biceps injury according to Stefanski.
Alex Wright or Isaiah Thomas is expected to start in place of Clowney and odds are that Issaac Rochell will be elevated from the practice squad to help fill the void.
Brissett OK – Stefanski did not list Jacoby Brissett on his day after game injury report.
Brissett, who completed 22 of 27 passes for 229 yards, a touchdown and interception Sunday, injured his ankle in the fourth quarter but did not miss a snap.
“I thought he played well,” Stefanski said. “I thought he saw it clearly. On the interception, their guy made a play. We are trying to get a chunk there and call a timeout, but their guy made a play.”
Following the game Brissett indicated that he would be ready and able to play against the Steelers.
Hit the brakes – There’s been debate among fans and media about Nick Chubb scoring that third touchdown, which gave the Jets offense an opportunity down 13.
The first down marker was at the two and Chubb cruised into the end zone for the third time, but some argue Chubb should’ve slammed on the brakes and went down at the one, which would’ve allowed the Browns to kneel and run out the clock.
“I do want to be clear on this one, I absolutely could have told him that in that situation,” Stefanski said.
Chubb did it against the Texans in 2020, preserving a 10-7 victory over Houston when he stepped out after racing 59 yards up the near sideline.
“Obviously, with retrospect, you want to do anything to secure the win,” Stefanski said. “That is something that is my responsibility to communicate to that huddle. Putting yourself up potentially 14 points inside of two minutes, you should close out that game. Yes, I wish I had said that to Nick and Nick would have done it, but it does not change the fact that we had plenty of opportunities to win that game.”
Toe tappin’ – Tight end David Njoku blamed himself for not getting his feet in bounds for a potential touchdown in the third quarter.
Instead, the Browns settled for a 22-yard field goal.
“I just have to be better,” Njoku said. “I have to hold the same standard that I do for the team for myself. Even though I caught it, I should have been in bounds. I will take full blame for that, and I will be better.”
Njoku made a beautiful catch but was pulled out of bounds by Jets cornerback Brandin Echols before he could get his feet down.
Injury report – DNP: DE Jadeveon Clowney (ankle-OUT), TE Jesse James (biceps-OUT), DE Chase Winovich (hamstring-OUT), LG Joel Bitonio (biceps), TE Harrison Bryant (thumb/thigh), OT Chris Hubbard (elbow/illness); LIMITED: RT Jack Conklin (knee); FULL: DE Isaiah Thomas (hand)
Participation was estimated since the Browns did not hold a formal practice.
Up next – Practice Tuesday.