Cleveland Browns: Porter Gustin should be given the next start

Cleveland Browns defensive end Porter Gustin didn’t just play well in relief but played well enough to warrant a start for Week 3.

When Olivier Vernon of the Cleveland Browns went down with an injury before the team’s Week 2 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, fans weren’t that surprised. Vernon has been battling injuries the last few years, which is part of the reason why Adrian Clayborn was acquired in the offseason. Clayborn over the first two weeks of the season has done a nice job, and currently has two sacks to his name. Mid-way through the first-half, however, Clayborn ended up getting hurt with a hip injury that the team still doesn’t know the full extent of yet. Enter Porter Gustin.

Gustin played great against the Bengals offensive line and even got more depth against the Bengals’ tackles than even Myles Garrett did at times. He was in the backfield, pressuring the quarterback, and was a madman running around the field going for the ballcarrier with fervor.

While Gustin really stepped up, it should be noted that the Bengals are just an all-around bad team, and to have some cautious optimism with what Gustin could do. It’s because of that strong performance against the Bengals though that should get him a chance to start Week 3 against the Washington Football Team.

They’re not a great team either, but if Gustin can come in, and have the same type of game against them as he did against the Bengals, then he’d warrant a look for the rest of the season as a real player for this defense. Frankly, this team needs all the help it can get. Relying on two, over-the-hill, defensive ends like Vernon and Clayborn was already a gamble, now that they’re both already dealing with injuries, it seems like a good opportunity to really test Gustin.

Besides, what’s the worst that could happen? They give up 30+ points?