When the Cleveland Browns go on the road to meet the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, both starting quarterbacks will return to their posts, although Week 3 games gave reason to wonder.
Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew was benched for the final drive in a 36-22 home loss to the Carolina Panthers after throwing an interception in the fourth quarter. Aidan O’Connell took over and orchestrated a late 13-play, 70-yard touchdown drive.
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson continues to struggle amid a revamped offense and absorbed eight sacks during a 21-15 loss to the visiting New York Giants. Watson came out of the game fine physically, although the rough afternoon could bring about trust issues.
At the outset anyway on Sunday, it will be Minshew and the Raiders (1-2) against Watson and the Browns (1-2) as they face off in Las Vegas, a town known for embracing a risk or two.
“There’s no issue. Gardner Minshew is the quarterback,” Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Wednesday.
Yet, it isn’t as if the Raiders are issue free. The Panthers handled the Raiders’ offensive and defensive lines in Week 3, with a frustrated Pierce saying afterward, when asked about the team’s effort: “… There were definitely some players that made business decisions.”
The Raiders gave up 437 yards, including 306 passing, and allowed four touchdowns to a team that was in the midst of a change from Bryce Young to Andy Dalton at quarterback. On defense, Maxx Crosby played well on a high ankle sprain, but his teammates failed to follow his lead.
Crosby missed practice Wednesday, as the Raiders work on a plan to keep their star defensive end healthy. Also sitting out practice: linebacker Divine Deablo (oblique), offensive tackle Thayer Munford (knee, ankle) and cornerback Decamerion Richardson (hamstring).
“At 80 percent, (Crosby is) a lot better than any defensive end in the National Football League,” said Pierce, who added that the team will take input from Crosby before deciding the best course of action moving forward.
Watson’s rough day for the Browns came as his offensive line was in flux all around him. Pro Bowl guard Wyatt Teller (knee) was just placed on injured reserve, while tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee) and James Hudson III (knee) left Sunday’s game with injuries.
Watson went 21 of 37 for 196 yards with two touchdowns in the loss to the Giants as the Browns finished with just 217 total yards. Watson’s eight sacks cost Cleveland 48 yards, while the Browns also lost two fumbles.
“When you’re talking about protection, it’s everybody,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “… Everybody has a job to do in order to keep the quarterback clean. So, I got to do my part (as coach). It’s no secret we can’t let him get hit that many times. That’s not good enough and that will get fixed.”
The Browns are 31st in the 32-team NFL in total offense at 248.0 yards per game and 30th in passing at 152.3 yards per game. They have scored just 16.7 points per contest.
On defense, Pro Bowl defensive end Myles Garrett has been playing through foot, thigh and Achilles injuries, yet still has been good enough to record two sacks. forcing a fumble on both. Cleveland is 12th in total defense at 309.3 yards allowed per game.
Garrett missed practice Wednesday but is expected to play Sunday. Also out: Wills, offensive tackle Jack Conklin (hamstring), tight end David Njoku (ankle), linebacker Jordan Hicks (ribs, elbow), and running backs Jerome Ford (knee) and Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring).
