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Joe Flacco’s Week 13 performance against the Los Angeles Rams was at least somewhat encouraging for the Cleveland Browns‘ playoff hopes, but the team just keeps receiving bad injury news during a tumultuous campaign.
Whether it’s Denzel Ward’s shoulder, the quarterback situation or the pass-catching corps, injuries are running rampant among the AFC North hopefuls. And as Week 14 progresses toward the Browns’ crucial clash with the similarly injury-laden Jacksonville Jaguars, unfortunate updates are superseding positive ones.
Amari Cooper & David Njoku Both Absent From Thursday’s Practice
Amari Cooper received five targets from Flacco in the 36-19 loss to the Rams, hauling in three of them for 34 yards. That brought his season-long tally to 50 catches for 799 yards and a pair of scores in 12 appearances.
But Cooper, who suited up in all 17 regular-season contests last year, now has to worry about his record of perfect attendance. He exited the December 3 game in the second quarter with a concussion after attempting to bring in a throw from Flacco.
Listed with both a concussion and a ribs-related injury, Cooper sat out of practice for the second consecutive day on December 7. His status for the Jacksonville game was not specified on the injury report.
Tight end David Njoku presumably has a better chance of lining up against the Jaguars, but he missed a second consecutive day of practice on December 7. He was listed for non-injury-related rest for his knee.
Njoku, 27, leads the Browns with 53 receptions for 509 yards (second to Cooper) and two scores without missing a game.
Losing either pass-catching option would be tough for a limited Browns offense. Both watching from the sidelines could be disastrous, even with Elijah Moore playing better recently and Marquise Goodwin limited in practice as he attempts to return from the concussion protocol.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson Remains in the Concussion Protocol
The Browns haven’t yet committed to Joe Flacco as the starting quarterback going forward even if the choice seemed obvious coming out of the Los Angeles loss, especially with Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the concussion protocol.
“We’ll see how it goes this week,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “Dorian’s still in the protocol, but he’s working his way through. We’ll make that decision at the appropriate time, but I want to see how this week goes.”
Thompson-Robinson, who hasn’t played since November 29, was limited in practice, and the Browns seem determined to at least involve him in some capacity. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt indicated that the team might prepare some package of plays that would let his mobility complement the statuesque, pocket-based passing style of Flacco.
Much as the Jaguars could be employing gamesmanship by refusing to rule out Trevor Lawrence just days removed from a high-ankle sprain, the Browns could be making preparation more difficult for Jacksonville through the possibility of a stylistic contrast under center.
The Passing Game Needs to Get Going Regardless of the Valid Excuses
Whether Flacco is taking snaps, Thompson-Robinson is showing off his dual-threat ability or the combination is working in tandem depending on situation, the passing game must get going for Cleveland to end a postseason drought that dates back to 2020.
The Browns dropped to 7-5 and third in the AFC North after falling to the Rams, but they remain on the right side of the AFC’s playoff picture, currently claiming the third and final wild-card berth.
Problem is, they’re one of three 7-5 squads, joining the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans. Among the three contenders, the Browns’ remaining schedule is the toughest, according to Tankathon, with their remaining opponents having a .522 winning percentage. The Texans’ is the easiest (.471) followed by the Colts (.476).
Even though key players are convinced the defense can regain its former glory, the passing game has struggled to score.
Only seven teams have thrown more passes this season, per Pro Football Reference, but Cleveland ranks 24th in passing yards and 23rd in passing touchdowns earned. Only the Las Vegas Raiders have thrown more interceptions (17) than the Browns (14).
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