The Cleveland Browns are preparing for their final regular-season game, a Week 18 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, with the Browns locked in as the No. 5 seed in the playoffs, this week’s game has no bearing on the postseason, and as a result, some players may sit out and relax in preparation for a postseason run.
After the final practice of the week on Friday, the Browns announced some of the players who will not play on Sunday, including defensive end Myles Garrett.
Garrett, who joins quarterback Joe Flacco on the rest list (head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Flacco’s rest on Wednesday), will get the week off to prepare for the upcoming Wild Card playoff meeting.
With Flacco out, the Browns are turning to newly acquired quarterback Jeff Driskel to lead the team. With Garrett out, some members of the defensive rotation, like Alex Wright, will see increased playing time on Sunday.
Wright stated that he is ready to step up and try to get a win to close up the season because it is just another game for them, like any other week.
“This is just the next game.” But once you get the players in here, we trust each other on the field, and at the end of the day, we put up a terrific game plan for Sunday,” Wright added. “It doesn’t matter that it’s the final game of the season. We just have to keep moving forward and hope to go 1-0.”
Kicker Dustin Hopkins, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury, wide receiver Amari Cooper, who is recovering from a heel ailment, cornerback Greg Newsome II, linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., safety Juan Thornhill, and cornerback Mike Ford Jr. are all out on Sunday.
Several other players are labeled as uncertain due to injuries. For Sunday’s game, punter Corey Bojorquez, wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, linebacker Jordan Kunasyzk, and wide receiver Elijah Moore are all questionable.
The Bengals, who have already been eliminated from playoff contention, intend to play certain starters, including Ja’Maar Chase and Trey Hendrickson. Stefanski’s strategy remains unchanged, he says.
“They have a plan. Obviously, that is up to coach and what he does, but for us, we are confident in the players we have on the field and are happy about the opportunity. “You want to win,” Stefanski explained.
Ogbo Okoronkwo, the defensive end, is not listed on the game status update. Stefanski said Okoronkwo has a “good chance” of playing on Sunday after suffering a pectoral injury against the Jaguars that was previously thought to be season-ending.
Leave a Reply