In the week leading up to the game against the Raiders, we were advised that right guard Wyatt Teller was placed on injured reserve – out for at least four games. Later we were told that right tackle Jack Conklin and left tackle Jedrick Wills were deactivated due to injuries. Also inactive due to injury was David Njoku, an underrated blocker from the tight end position. These injuries almost guaranteed that the Browns would again have trouble running the ball and that Watson would again not have time to go through his progressions to find open receivers. The offense did well enough on the first drive producing a touchdown, but the Raiders made adjustments, and the Browns struggled offensively for the rest of the game.
Given the offensive line injuries, this was to be expected. What was not expected was how bad the defense was with the worstBrowns tackling that we have seen in years and way too soft coverage by Emerson. By the time the defense stiffened up, it was too little too late with the game being decided by a dropped touchdown, a missed extra point and a phantom offensive holding call.
We are now being told by some that injuries are no excuse, that injuries are part of the game and that it is next man up. But isn’t it interesting that almost every year it is pointed out that the Super Bowl teams have been remarkably healthy. And if the next man up is as good as the starter, then why is the starter being paid $10 million more?
Fortunately, three losses do not a wasted season make. Help is on the way. Chubb is now practicing. Conklin, Wills and Njoku could all return this week. And although it might be too slowly, Watson is improving game-by-game. The Browns might now need to win some games that they were figured to lose, but the playoffs still beckon. Stay tuned.