Three depth chart concerns for the Cleveland Browns ahead of Week 5 vs the Colts.
The Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts play one of the more intriguing games on the Week 5 docket.
With the AFC playoff field expanded to seven teams, the Browns and Colts could be two of the teams jockeying for position at the bottom of the field.
Plus, these teams are viewing each other as tests heading into the contest, as both teams have scored victories over weak opponents up to this point. The Browns own the most impressive win between the two teams at this point, with the victory over Dallas last week.
Up this point, the Colts have beaten the Vikings, Jets and Bears. Their loss to to Jacksonville to open the season goes to show how Week 1 can often time be Fool’s Gold.
The Colts are slight favorites heading into the game, and that has to do with the Browns’ defense–especially the secondary. That said, with the statue of Otto Graham outside the stadium being more mobile than Phillip Rivers, Myles Garrett should feast, especially with Indy’s line banged up by injuries.
That said, there are some concerns heading into the contest, as Kevin Stefanski must figure out these three depth chart conundrums ahead of the contest.
1. Hunt nursing injury
Expect Kareem Hunt to play on Sunday, but it’ll be worth watching how much the former AFC rushing camp is able give the Browns.
Hunt’s still battling a groin injury and has been limited in practice up until this point. The same injury kept him limited in practice ahead of the Cowboys game, and he was still able to play.
After Nick Chubb left with an MCL sprain, Hunt led the Browns with two rushing touchdowns, but Cleveland was cautious with the back, limiting him to 11 carries.
Toward the end of the game, it was clear on the Browns were protecting Hunt, by giving rushing duties to D’Ernest Johnson and Dontrell Hilliard.
Johnson had an amazing game, and there’s a clamoring to see more of the man who cut-back on a 23-yard run was being compared to Alvin Kamara.
Hilliard’s a talented player, too, but there is a drop-off, and if the Browns want the offense to continue humming along, Kevin Stefasnki needs to rush the ball effectively to set up the play-action passing game for Baker Mayfield.
2. Time for Ronnie Harrison
Ronnie Harrison has been a Brown for four weeks, and considering how unwatchable the secondary is at this point, it’s time to see what the safety can do.
Andrew Sendejo has become the target of Angry Browns Fan on Twitter, and the criticism is deserved. He’s giving up multiple big plays every game.
Sendejo’s supposed to be backing up Grant Delpit. That injury is proving to be the most critical to the defense with Cleveland’s safeties getting forced each week.
On the depth chart, Harrison is actually listed as the backup strong safety to Karl Joseph. I wouldn’t read to much into that, as defensive coordinator Joe Woods seems to be rotating his safeties as he sees fit.
Elevating Harrison into a starter won’t turn the Browns’ defense into the ’85 Bears, but the promotion should be an upgrade over the status quo.
3. Can’t worry about Higgins
Cleveland.com posted a story asking whether this is the week the Browns unlock Rashard Higgins.
I’m not sure it is, nor do I think it’d make much of a difference if Higgins, who’s been a healthy scratch the past two weeks, does suit up.
Yes, JoJo Natson and KhaDarel Hodge have gone to the IR with injuries, but it’s more likely the Browns continue to give reps to Donovan Peoples-Jones. DPJ got the most playing time he’s ever seen against the Cowboys, and while he was relatively quiet, he gained on-field experience none-the-less.
The tight-end heavy offense probably doesn’t bode well for Higgins, either. Austin Hooper scored his first touchdown last week, while Harrison Bryant looks better every game. Factor in David Njoku returning, and I’m not sure where Higgins fits into all of it, and that’s OK.
Higgins is a fine player, but remember, he was a free agent over the winter. Yes, free agency was affected by COVID, but Higgins ended up returning to the Browns for pennies (by NFL standards).
With DPJ being the future, I’d look for more playing time for the fifth-round pick out of Michigan.