Cleveland Browns: Secondary could get ugly vs Cowboys

Week 4 may get ugly for the Cleveland Browns secondary, who will be tasked with stopping down NFL passing leader Dak Prescott in Week 4.

The Cleveland Browns are heavy underdogs among the various lines posted throughout the inter web and the secondary may be a huge reason why.

The Browns have a fighting shot, but if they’re going to win, Cleveland’s must cover the warts in the secondary.

The Browns defensive backfield has been decimated by injuries ever since training camp. New defensive coordinator Joe Woods hasn’t had the unit healthy at all in 2020.

Denzel Ward’s groin injury continues to be an issue. Kevin Stefanski said Ward did not suffer a setback against Washington, even though he left in the second quarter and didn’t play the rest of the game.

The Browns, really, really need Denzel Ward in this one because the Cowboys offense is explosive, and that description doesn’t even do it justice.

Cowboys quarterback Dan Prescott has thrown for 1,888 yards through three weeks. He’s on pace to throw for 6,300 yards, which would obliterate the current mark of 5,477 yards, which was set by Drew Brees in 2013.

To make matters worse, Greedy Williams is still limited by the shoulder he dinged in training camp. He returned to practice last week on a limited basis, and didn’t appear in the game.

Backup Terrance Mitchell is playing like a starter, and fortunately, the Browns got Kevin Johnson back against Washington, who filled in for Ward after he left the game. Ideally, Johnson would be playing against the slot receiver, but he may be pressed into action on the outside again if Ward and Williams don’t play.

Perhaps the biggest blow to the secondary came during camp when Grant Delpit, a player the team tapped in the second round to be its starting free safety, suffered a season ending injury.

The safety position looks like it could be exposed in a big way, unless the Browns do something different. Andrew Sendejo looks very slow at free safety. Karl Joseph is better suited to play closer to the line as the strong safety.

Perhaps the Browns finally deploy Ronnie Harrison. He’s played sparingly ever since being acquired in a trade just before the season, but he may need to play a ton out necessity because the way things are going, things could get ugly the way Prescott’s slinging the ball.

It also doesn’t help Cleveland that their linebacking corps is virtually non-existent in coverage. Joe Burrow excelled at medium throws against the Browns, while even Dwayne Haskins had success.

Mack Wilson should see increased playing time now that he’s worked his way back from injury, although it probably won’t make that big of a difference against Dallas’ passing game.