Browns may 'scale back' rookie Justin Gilbert’s playing time
Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine said he will reduce rookie cornerback Justin Gilbert’s playing time if he doesn’t play better.
Gilbert had trouble in the team’s season opening 30-27 loss to the the Pittsburgh Steelers. Steelers wide receiver Markus Wheaton caught six passes for 97 yards against Gilbert, equaling his catch production from all of last season.
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Gilbert, who was the eighth pick in May’s NFL draft, played 59 snaps during the game.
“Looking back on it, maybe he did play too many reps,” Pettine said, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. “We’re not looking to bench him, but maybe scale back his reps this week.”
The Browns play the New Orleans Saints in the team’s opener on Sunday.
- Scooby Axson
