All indications are that Thad Lewis will make his first NFL start on Sunday for the Cleveland Browns and running back Trent Richardson likely will miss the game against Pittsburgh.
Starting quarterback Brandon Weeden and backup Colt McCoy sat out practice Friday for the third consecutive day because of shoulder injuries. Richardson also was sidelined with a sprained left ankle.
Lewis took reps with the first-team offense during the early portion of Friday’s practice. Sunday’s game against the Steelers would be his first start since 2009 when he was at Duke.
Lewis’ backup could be Josh Johnson, who was signed this week. Johnson, released by San Francisco earlier this year, was with Tampa Bay for four seasons and was 0-5 as a starter.
If Richardson can’t play, the rookie will miss a chance to reach 1,000 rushing yards. He has 950 yards this season.