Browns Digest

Report: In Addition To Deshaun Watson, Browns Expected To Be Without Two Other Veterans In Week Six

With the San Francisco 49ers coming to Cleveland this weekend, the Browns will be short-handed at a handful of key offensive positions, including quarterback
Spencer German|
Report: In Addition To Deshaun Watson, Browns Expected To Be Without Two Other Veterans In Week Six
Report: In Addition To Deshaun Watson, Browns Expected To Be Without Two Other Veterans In Week Six

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Cleveland Browns

The injuries are mounting for the Cleveland Browns, as they turn the week of practice winds down.

Following a report from CBS Sports NFL Insider Josina Anderson that Deshaun Watson isn't expected to play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, comes another report claiming Cleveland will be down two other offensive starters.

Veteran guard Joel Bitonio and tight end David Njoku aren't planning on suiting up for the Browns either, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com

In the ilk of Browns Hall of Famer Joe Thomas, Bitonio enters Week Six with a streak of 102 consecutive games played, which is now in jeopardy of coming to an end due to a knee injury. During the team's bye week, Bitonio was seen on crutches at the team facility.

Njoku, meanwhile, is still dealing with the effects of burns he sustained on his face and hands while lighting a fire pit at his home two days before Cleveland hosted the Baltimore Ravens. The 2017 first-round pick recently shared images of the ailments on his Instagram.

It's remarkable that Njoku found a way to get a helmet on and play with the burns two weeks ago, let alone that he also lead the team in receiving with six catches for 48 yards. Recent treatments may be contributing to his expected absence in Week Six.

Cabot noted that the absences of Bitonio and Njoku may have contributed to the Browns decision to not force the issue with Watson as well. As he still works through a bruised rotator cuff, playing the services of his best offensive lineman and an impactful blocking tight end would have brought some added risk for Watson. Frankly, the team needs to protect their $230 million asset from taking unnecessary hits that could derail his recovery.

The team has yet to declare any of the aforementioned players as "out," but Friday's injury report could change that.

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Spencer German
SPENCER GERMAN

Spencer German is a contributor to the Northeast Ohio cluster of sites, including Cavs Insider, Cleveland Baseball Insider and most notably Browns Digest. He also works as a fill-in host on Cleveland Sports Radio, 92.3 The Fan, one of the Browns radio affiliate stations in Cleveland. Despite being a Cleveland transplant, Spencer has enjoyed making Northeast Ohio home ever since he attended college locally at John Carroll University, where he graduated in 2013.

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